Minister confirms athletes’ incentive

 By ISAAC LIRI 

Minister for Sports and Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko has clarified that the medal incentives would be awarded to athletes in both team and individual sports.  

“As stated earlier, each individual winning gold will get K20,000, silver will get K10,000 and bronze will claim K5000,” Tkatchenko said.  

He said that the agreement was made on Day one and the Government would stick with it even though there are critics on the matter.  

“I have heard the Opposition saying that this incentive is not going to help anybody, well that’s just uneducated and a load of garbage.

“The Opposition leader has no idea what this incentive means to each individual player or athlete who is receiving it.

“The Opposition leader must understand that the recommendation came from the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee and not from the Government — and we endorsed their recommendation of the incentive programme.”

 “We see that the incentive is not just for the short-term but for the long term for the individual to use for their own self gain. 

“Either it is to assist them in getting a car to take them to and from their sporting activities instead of walking, to give them a better diet, or give them better equipment so that they can be fitter  — and so on,” Tkatchenko said.  

Tkatchenko said the incentive was to be used to enhance their skills and abilities.

He said the Government was doing all it could to promote and support the country’s athletes and that was the sole purpose of the incentive. 

Tkatchenko said after the Games, the PNGOC would come back to the Government with their certified tally for  payment.