National Sports Institute gives athletes two-week break

THE National Sports Institute will resume its athlete development programme next month to prepare for the 2022 athletics calendar, according to director Janet Gimots.
She told The National that their Goroka-based athletes were given a two-week break for the festive season following the recent PNG Air Grand Prix Series and national championships in Kimbe, West New Britain.
The director said she was pleased with the performances of the institutes’ athletes in the recent events.
“They all ran impressive personal bests,” she said.
“The athletes are on break now, but they’ve been asked to maintain their fitness level.
“When they return, they will undergo fitness testing before resuming training.
“This will give their coaches an opportunity to plan their training programmes.
“We have athletes Paias Wisil, Jobby Kinzu and Sane Arui in our development programme.”
Meanwhile, head coach Samu Sasama was impressed with the performances of Wisil and Kinzu in Kimbe.
“I am proud of their progress and achievements, especially Paias,” he said.
“He has really improved, but I know he can continue to get better results.
“This is the second year of the athlete development programme and the successes are a result of the residential scholarships that these athletes are on at the institute.
“I can’t thank the institute and the entire staff enough for the programme.”
Meanwhile, Athletics Papua New Guinea is to name its national squads for next year’s Pacific Mini Games and Commonwealth Games next week.
“We will know then if our athletes are in the squad,” Gimots said.
She said it would be a bonus for the athlete development programme if some of their members make the national teams.