Lakhan, athletes impressed with training facility

 THE newly-opened High Performance Training Centre in Port Moresby’s Four-Mile area has been described as timely for Team Papua New Guinea to surge at the 2015 Pacific Games in front of their home crowd.

Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan, who witnessed the official opening of the centre while commending the national government for the initial made the remarks adding PNG stood a better  chance of grabbing the gold medals on offer at this Games.

Lakhan, pictured right,  who was in the country for the Pacific Games Council meeting last week flew out yesterday but was part of the ceremony that saw Minister for Sports and 2015 Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko officially opened the centre.

Tkatchenko had to rush off to be part of the official welcoming party for the Japanese Prime Minister at Jackson airport later that day.

“Its wonderful, its timely especially when you got the games here at your door step next year,” an impressed Lakhan said.

Lakhan said the facility would help prepare the athletes as they perform infront of their home crowd and they would want to see the athletes excel.

“The establishment of the centre means athletes will be able to better prepare and perform with dignity,” Lakhan said.

Lakhan congratulated Tkatchenko and the national government for the facility.

“I am so proud to stand her and witness what many athletes have been hoping for finally realised,” Lakhan said.

Athletes who had a trial on the equipment provided said the facility had excited and motivated them to take training seriously.

Current national men’s soccer captain David Muta applauded the government adding the centre eased the burden of looking overseas for proper facilities.

“This is really good because it gives players to prepare well for tournaments and it’s been long overdue,” Muta, pictured far right, said.

Women’s sevens star Joan Logona said the facility would give players a chance to improve in fundamentals like power and strength.

Logona, who has been recalled into the Palais team said the facility was not only a godsend but an athlete’s dream.

Volleyballer Alice Ito and Pepes Captain Winnie Mavara said this has just psyched them up to train.

For weightlifter Fred Oala, from training under the mango trees at Hanuabada to a standard work out setting is just too good to be true.

“I want to win gold medal here next year and this facility is motivating me more to train and thank you Minister and the government,” Oala said.

Sports physician Dr Gideon Kendino said the facility could have been built much earlier but was thankful it was finally up.

“Its better late than never and thank you to the national government,” Dr Kendino said.