Officials consistent on decision

 TEAM Oro (Northern) officials say they will travel to the PNG Games in Lae, Morobe, with or without government funding.

This was confirmed last week by the officials after they had misinterpreted Oro Governor Gary Juffa’s decision in regards to the  provincial team’s participating in the PNG Games.

The officials said the athletes had prepared well for almost three months and had raised their levy fees.

They said open MPs David Arore and Delilah Gore had given full assurance to support Team Oro.

In response, Juffa said the Oro Provincial Executive Council (OPEC) will meet in Tufi tomorrow to deliberate  on whether Team Oro will participate in all the sports or medal prospects only.

The sporting codes that have done well at the PNG Games and national level include karate, boxing, touch football, darts (doubles), para sports.

Juffa said Team Oro was the provincial government’s responsibility under his government and the OPEC will determine the teams participations in the Grassroots Games.

He said if the officials defied his advice he would not hesitate to advise the PNG Games Host Organising Committee in Lae that Team Oro was illegal because it was not endorsed by OPEC.

“We are aware that the majority of the athletes are unemployed youths and will need the support of the government and Team Oro officials should not mislead them.”

Juffa said to be transparent and accountable OPEC had appointed a new general team manager and a five member team committee to manage Team Oro affairs.