Kamau changes lanes

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PAPUA New Guinea sprinter Leeroy Kamau has confirmed a code switch from athletics to rugby league after recently coming under Pro-Era Sports Management which will see him sign with a New South Wales rugby league club in the coming weeks.
Kamau, who is currently studying at the Cloud County Community College in Kansas, United States under a full scholarship, said he was only taking a break from the track this year with the hope of returning to his specialty, 100m sprint by the end of the season.
“Certain issues within the federation (APNG) as well as some issues were the reason I made this decision but I’m just taking a break from track, I’ll be back,” Kamau told The National yesterday when asked about the reason for the switch.
Kamau, 25, has risen up the athletics ranks since 2020 after breaking the 200m national record set by his coach and former Olympian Nelson Stone during the 2015 Pacific Games. With his progress over the last three years, he has been tipped to become the fastest man on track in the Pacific, however the switch is likely to set him back.
When asked to elaborate on the “politics” within the federation which he said had prompted his switch, Kamau declined to go into details but indicated that some decisions made by APNG regarding him had not been fair, hence his decision to “take a break.”
“It was very tough to make that decision to switch codes but like I said some issues in athletics made me to switch,” Kamau said.
“That’s the main reason so I’m just taking a break, a year off from track but I’ll be back. Maybe I can try a 100m race this season after rugby season is over.”
Australia-based Pro Era Sports Management are known for managing athletes who play in the Hostplus Cup, Auckland Rugby League and New South Wales competitions among others.
“I’ve signed under their management agency who are NRL agents so I’m just waiting to secure a contract with a rugby league club,” Kamau said of his prospects in switching.
“There’s three clubs interested in me so my agent is working on securing the best option for me so I’m just waiting on the contract,” he said recently.
Kamau played rugby league as a junior before deciding to focus on athletics to chase a dream of competing at an Olympic Games so the switch would be a return to familiar territory for the Pacific Games champion.
Meanwhile, Athletics PNG would not comment on Kamau’s switch but confirmed that they were aware of his decision.