New Mendi stadium in the pipeline

WORK on a stadium to be built in Mendi for the 2020 PNG Games should begin this year, says Ialibu-Pangia MP and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
“One promise made during the general election period in Mendi was to build a stadium in Mendi after requests made by the people. We must start it this year so that we will use it during the games,” O’Neill said.
He told the Southern Highlands assembly during its first meeting last week that preparations should start to ensure there were no delays.
Assembly members supported civil engineer Sape Molumi to continue as chairman of the committee in charge of the preparations.
Governor William Powi said the PNG Sports Federation was satisfied with the progress by the province to prepare for the Games.
“So it is good that Molumi must continue the good work with his team of engineers,” he said.
O’Neill said new sporting facilities will be built in schools for some events. “We can improve and build new facilities for the students to use after the games,” he said.
He said when the province went to bid for the Games, some suggested to do it later. “But our public servants, sportsmen and women who went to the Games in Kimbe have already accepted to host the games in the province. So we have no choice,” he said.
Imbonggu MP Pila Ninigi said for the 2020 Games to be successful, money and land were vital.