Kimbe prepares to host PNG Games

 By MALUM NALU 

West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel say it’s all systems go in his province as it prepares to host the 2016 PNG Games in Kimbe.

He told The National last Thursday that that games was the priority of his government this year, although this did not mean that it was forgetting its other obligations.

“That’s our major project for this year and we are trying out best not to sacrifice any smaller projects in the name of PNG Games,” he said.

“The work for the PNG Games has already begun.

“Right now they are starting on land preparation and also levelling and doing the drainage for the entire field. It’s a 12 to 14-hactare right in the middle of town where we want to centralise all the facilities, especially the main stadium.

 “The running track, soccer field, volleyball, basketball, rugby are all centralised in one location.

“We are expecting to spend K15 to K20 million for that development.

“The provincial government has already committed K15 million and the National Government has indicated that they will support us with a minimum K10 million.

“We’re also appealing to the National Government to reciprocate the same amount of investment the provincial government is doing.”

Muthuvel said the National Government should be looking to pump in at least K20 million.

“It will be a good legacy for us to have these PNG Games,” he said.

“This is not West New Britain Games, this is PNG Games, and will involve the rest of the 21 provinces converging on West New Britain.”

Muthuvel said the synthetic track, the first of its kind in the Islands region, would cost K3 to K4 million.

“Of course we are working very closely with PNG Sports Foundation and the Sports Ministry to bring this development,” he said.

“Technical advice is also provided by the team from PNG Sports Foundation and we are looking to hosting a successful game.”