Green warns athletes not to get comfortable

ATHLETES in the initial squad for next year’s Pacific Mini Games should not get comfortable but maintain their fitness and performance, says Athletics Papua New Guinea president Tony Green.
“There are six months to go until the Games, so the possibility is there for some athletes to lose their fitness and form,” he told The National yesterday.
“We’ve had cases in the past where athletes think they qualified for the team by performing well in the national championships then slacken off.
“What is important is sending a team to the Games that is in good form and ready to give their best.
“But for administrative reasons, the team has to be finalised by early April.
“It is not possible to stage next year’s national championships in March because things have only just settled down in schools and many people who are involved with the sport are students or teachers.
“So we have to oversee and manage athlete preparations before conducting the final trials in March or April to make sure they are still in good form.”
Green said the federation had to submit the final travelling list by March or April to give ample time to the PNG Olympic Committee to send in the entries to the Mini Games committee.
“The official entries close two months before the Games start,” he said.
“That means the committee must finalise their entries by that time, so we need to make our submission earlier.”
When asked about the requirements for selections, Green said the federation could select a maximum of three athletes per event.
“We do have qualifying times, but they are just a guide to give the athletes an idea on what sort of performance to aim for,” he said.
“We might have athletes who didn’t reach the time, but looking at what’s happening around the region, they may still be potential medallists. That’s more important because we are aiming for medals.”