Madang in training for Games

 THE management committee for Team Madang attending the 2014 PNG Games is undergoing a week-long training.

Scott Vavine, the national programme manager, youth sports under the PNG Sport Foundation, is facilitating the training.

Vavine said the training was for the technical officers of the team to acquire sports administration skills and to identify weaknesses from previous PNG Games and how to adjust for this year’s event.

“This is basically to improve on the preparations for the 2014 Games in Lae,” Vavine said. 

He said that the training was first introduced in 1995 to help in the preparations, which include managing when and where athletes sleep, eat and play.

Vavine said the same training clinic was conducted in Central, Jiwaka and Morobe.

Gulf, Manus, Western and East New Britain are yet to be covered.

He thanked the Madang provincial government for taking the lead in the overall preparations.

Games commissioner for Team Madang, John Gringo said Team Madang was prepared to go for the Games.

“The preparations are going well,” Gringo said.

He said most codes have submitted their final name lists for athletes and Modilon hospital has allocated three doctors to do medical examinations on all athletes.

He said Madang’s 455 athletes would be participating in 18 sports.

Madang Governor Jim Kas has allocated K500,000 for the team and  the provincial government is so far the only major sponsor of the team.

Gringo said the soccer, volleyball and basketball teams have held a training camp while other codes are organising their teams.

The sixth PNG Games, sponsored by Bank South Pacific, will be from November 16-29.