Govt will give funds for athletes, Waiwai says

 By HENRY MORABANG

THE National Government has allocated K39 million to help prepare our 22 teams for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

Chair of the 2015 Pacific Games Host Organising Committee Emma Waiwai told the media conference during the Telikom PNG platinum sponsorship announcement last week.

Waiwai was responding to question if the Government has allocated some money to help prepare Team PNG for the upcoming Games in 2015 and beyond.

While the attention is focused on development of new infrastructure, Waiwai said each sport should have programmes that build on the Grassroots For Gold programme and the Talent Identification Programme.

The success of the 2013 Mini Pacific Games was because of government funding through these two programmes.

She said government is committed to building sporting infrastructure but it would also provide funds for athletes to prepare for the 2015 Pacific Games. She reaffirmed that all the 22 sports on the programme would be played in Port Moresby.

Waiwai commended Telikom PNG for their support. 

The sponsorship worth more K8.7 million would go to telecommunication infrastructure of the city and the country to facilitate better coverage of the event.