Kari stoked at honour

 THE PNG flag-bearer said it will a great privilege to lead the country’s athletes and officials at the opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Flag-bearer and champion weightlifter in the 94kg division, Steven Kari was introduced by chef de mission Emma Waiwai to countries in the Commonwealth in a flag-bearers introduction ceremony in Glasgow Caledonian University on Tuesday.

The twelve Pacific Island nations participating in the Games gathered in the institution in the heart of the city to introduce their bearers.

Kari, the 21-year-old from Hanuabada village, in Port Moresby, said, “it will be an honour to lead PNG into the Celtic Park for the opening ceremony”.

“I am very happy to have been offered this opportunity,” Kari said after the ceremony.

Kari also said he was looking forward to his events when competition starts later this week.

The Noumea-based weightlifter said: “I am ready to give my best to my family and country and meet again with them when the competition is over.”

PNG Olympic Committee president, Sir John Dawanincura later told the athletes and officials in the Games Village that Kari was chosen because he was a champion not only in the Pacific and Oceania but in the Commonwealth. 

Kari has won the top medal in the Pacific as well as in Oceania Championships.

Last year in Penang, Malaysia, Kari won in the 94-kilogram junior and senior divisions in the 2013 Commonwealth Championships.