Incentive is for athletes’ sporting enhancement

 By ISAIAH IGISH

The National Government has budgeted K5 million as rewards for athletes who win medals in the 2015 Pacific Games, Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko said.

Tkatchenko, pictured, said the programme was all about enhancing Papua New Guinean athletes — allowing them to have money to buy new equipment for themselves and to develop their sporting abilities.

Opposition leader Don Polye had criticised the Government for not putting money on priority areas which needed attention in the country, rather than spending it on individual athletes.

However Tkatchenko said the incentive — K20,000 for gold, K10,000 for silver and K5000 for bronze — was approved by the National Executive Council after a proposal was submitted to them by the Papua New Guinea Sports Federation and Olympic Committee.

He said the incentive was not for the athletes’ personal gain but will benefit them in their sporting development.

“The whole idea is to enhance the sporting ability of our sporting athletes,” Tkatchenko said.

“The athletes work very hard, wasting blood, sweat and tears to make them superstars.  

“ (There’s) nothing sinister about that, it’s all about rewarding our athletes.”

Tkatchenko said the cost of the incentive had stemmed from the Olympic Committee’s estimates.

“From the estimates, we have put aside K5-million which will cover athletes in individual events as well as in team events.”