O’Neill: So far, so good

 By MALUM NALU

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill is pleased with the progress so far of the Pacific Games, saying it has “lived up to our expectations”.

O’Neill was at the PNG Power Dome at the Sir John Guise Stadium on Tuesday night, with his wife and family, watching weightlifting champion Steven Kari “going for gold”.

“Very good. I think the excellent performances and facilities have lived up to all our expectations and it’s taken up to international standards that we expect. So it’s a good Games so far,” he told The National.

O’Neill yesterday watched the start of the rugby sevens competition as part of his daily visits to the venues.

“I’m impressed with all Papua New Guineans performing to their very best,” he said.

“We’re impressed with the whole lot of them. Of course, the expectation of the nation is on many of them, but we can only ask them to do their best. That’s what they’re doing and we’re very proud of them.”

O’Neill, like others, was relieved after Kari won two gold medals in the 94kg division on Tuesday night after anxious moments earlier when he had to settle for silver in the snatch competition.

When it came to the clean-and-jerk, Kari managed to lift 204kg.

Kari said he could have made a clean sweep and a hat-trick of gold.

“I should have done better than what I did today,” he told The National.

“I’m not really happy with what I did today. 

“I should have got three gold medals but at least I give two gold medals to Papua New Guinea.”