Look after facilities: Tkatchenko

 THE Government is committed to allocating funds for the upkeep of new sporting facilities for the next five years, Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko says.

Speaking at the official opening of the facilities to sporting codes and the public at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre (TAIC) on Saturday,  Tkatchenko said the Government help make the facilities become self-sufficient.

Tkatchenko said PNG was the sporting hub of the Pacific and users must look after the facilities when utilising them.

He said to minimise costs, the challenge was for everyone, including the PNG Sports Foundation and the venue management, to maintain and look after the facilities.

“The facilities were built for the public to utilise and for the sports to enhance their capabilities —  the onus is on everyone to look after the facilities.

“They were built by the Government nurture potential champions,” he said.

Tkatchenko said the Government did not want to repeat the 1991 Pacific Games experience — where Games facilities fell into disuse and disrepair.

Pamphlets containing information on the use and hire of venues were handed out during the ceremony.

The facilities opened at the TAIC include the gym and the pool.

Other facilities opened were the Sir John Guise indoor and outdoor stadiums, the Rita Flynn Court and the Bisini Sports Precinct.

Tkatchenko congratulated everyone for their hard work and cooperation pre-Games and post-Games.

Pacific Games chairman Kostas Constantinou said the real challenge for everyone was to leave a lasting legacy.

“We need to respect these facilities so they can be here for a long time,” he said.