No special guests: PNGOC

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PAPUA New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) president Sir John Dawanincura has clarified that the Team PNG contingent for the Tokyo Olympic Games does not include sponsors or special guests.
His comments came after claims circulated that there were sponsors and special guests accompanying the eight athletes and eleven officials to Tokyo.
“No sponsors or special guests were part of the Team PNG contingent,” Sir John told The National yesterday.
“As per our statement (earlier this week), all functions of the officials are self-explanatory which does not include sponsors.
“And furthermore, PNGOC raised all the funds.”
He said the contingent included chef de mission Tamzin Wardley, two members of the general team management, chief medical officer Dr Kapua Kapua and physiotherapist Matthew Natusch. Three sports leaders, PNGOC general secretary Auvita Rapilla, Karo Lelai and Ryan Pini, will be performing administrative and technical roles at the Olympic Games in their respective capacities.
Rapilla, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is attending the Games and IOC sessions.
Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) and Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) chairman and IOC Athletes’ Commission (IOCAC) member Lelai is attending the Games and IOCAC meetings.
Rapilla and Lelai’s travel cost were met by IOC while Pini, whose trip was funded by the international swimming federation (Fina), will contest the IOCAC election as PNGOC’s nominee.
“Their functions have been made clear and it does not include anything about sponsors or special guests,” Sir John said.