National squad athletes ready to compete for titles

By PATRICIA KEAMO
MORE than 80 national squad athletes from six provinces will be competing in the PNG Air Grand Prix Series from this afternoon.
The four-day event will see some of the country’s best athletes compete against each other for the first time since last December’s PNG Air National Athletics Championship.
Athletics PNG president Tony Green told The National yesterday that the purpose of the Series was to provide quality competition for the best athletes in the country.
“They can’t just train at home, they need to compete from time to time,” he said.
“There are also seven athletes from Popondetta (Northern) who applied and have been accepted.
“We will do a selection at the end of the year from performances in various events for the Pacific Mini Games and Commonwealth Games.”
Some notable athletes who will be competing in the Series include Pacific Games medallists Siune Kagl and Mary Tenge.
“The men’s middle and long distance will be very competitive with Kagl facing a strong challenge from Israel Takap, George Yamak and several Chimbu athletes in the 5,000m,” Green said.
“We’ll also see some competition from Aquila Turalom, Andipas Georasi and George Yamak in the 1,500m and 3,000m.
“The women’s middle and long distance races are also expected to be competitive with Duke of York Islander Monica Kalua coming over from Rabaul with Tenge.
“These two will face a strong challenge from Kerowagi-based Anna Toby, Cecilia Kuman, Mary Kua and Aina Goir.”
The men’s sprints was a hit during last year’s PNG Air National Athletics Championship with promising newcomers from provinces across the country.
“There’s East Sepik’s Emmanuel Anis, Chabby Solomon (NCD), West New Britain’s Graham Bai and the three National Sports Institute-based sprinters Jonathan Dende , Paias Wisil and Alphonse Igish),” Green said.
“Competing in the men’s jumps will be 2019 Pacific Games representative Eldan Toti with talented young long jumper Kenneth Harrison and high jumper Isaac Kambuka.”