Morobe athletics gets back on track

LAE-based athletes are continuing their preparations for the 2017 season despite the disappointment of the PNG Games being deferred a second time.
Coach Allan Akia urged athletes to maintain a strong training regiment and take part in weekend competitions.
The Morobe athletics team was gearing up well for the Games last year and there was a falloff in training when news broke of the initial deferral.   However with a group of national squad athletes based in Lae encouraging the Morobe youngsters, things have picked up again since Christmas.
A number of new talents have caught the attention of Athletics PNG coaches, especially Leonie Beu in the women’s sprints,  Philip Joe and 16-year-old Ezekiel Nawas in the men’s sprints.
Nawas, along with West New Britain’s Lawrence Lamond, are under consideration for possible selection in the national Under-18 squad, depending on their performance over the next couple of months.
Athletics PNG is currently reconsidering how its national teams will be selected this year, especially for the Oceania Championships, as the March PNG Games would have played a significant role helping identify a squad.
Secretary Philip Rehder reminded all centres of the importance of arranging competitions for their athletes and submitting results.