Highlands track, field champs on

ATHLETES from Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka, Mt Hagen, Chimbu, Madang, Lae, Bulolo and Port Moresby are preparing to travel to Goroka this week for the PNG Air Highlands Momase Regional Championships which will be staged at the National Sports Institute.
The local organising committee headed by Philip Kamane has been busy putting the finishing touches to preparations for the event.
Athletics PNG secretary Philip Rehder thanked the NSI for its support as well as other sponsors Prima Smallgoods, Lae Biscuits and Sengda Trading.
PNG Air is sponsoring flights for a number of experienced technical officials from around PNG, including one from Kokopo and three from Port Moresby.
Athletics PNG president Tony Green said a large number of athletes from the region’s five provinces were expected at the meet.
“A very large entry of 500 to 600 is anticipated following visits by NSI staff and consultant coach Dior Lowry this year to Chimbu and Jiwaka, and from interest generated through the Eastern Highlands School Athletics Programme,” Green said.
Kamane urged all teams to submit their entries well ahead of their arrival in Goroka to avoid causing delays to the commencement of events on Friday.
Oceania Athletic Association is lending its support to the event with competition Manager Tom O’Shaughnessy paying his first visit to PNG to assist with the operation of a fully automatic timing system.