Organisers blame PNGSF for hiccup

By PISAI GUMAR
PARTICIPANTS were frustrated after the Huon Gulf tournament did not start at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium yesterday because the fields were not prepared.
Tournament organisers are blaming the PNG Sports Foundation for poor management of funds in ensuring the fields were ready for the tournament.  
Tournament chairman Amos Wallace said more than K8,000 was paid to the PNG Sports Foundation to hire the venue to host the three-day games.
However, he said the PNGSF failed to set in place the required materials and equipment to be used during the event.
“The failure by the PNGSF affects our games’ schedule that involves costs.  It is very bad and depicts bad (poor) management,” Wallace said.
He said the PNGSF had been informed about the dates of the tournament and should be prepared.
However, they failed to  get the grounds and courts ready for the tournament which was supposed to start yesterday.
The participants will be competing in soccer, basketball and volleyball competitions in both men’s and women’s divisions.
The games will give the participants an opportunity to represent Team Morobe at the PNG Games.
The tournament had attracted participants from Morobe patrol post, Salamaua and Wampar local level government.
The games will start today after finding out the soccer field grass was not cut and there were no markings, flags and nets for the goal mouths.
The desks for umpires, timekeepers and score boards at the indoor basketball and outdoor volleyball courts were also not prepared.
Meanwhile, organisers have given K30,000 (K10,000 each) to each LLG to take care of themselves during their stay in Lae.
An additional K2,100 will be distributed to teams today to take care of their players’ needs during games.
A frustrated Team Salamaua head coach and Busamang Primary School headmaster Michael Musalu said it was costly for teams travelling from villages near the border of Northern and Salamaua to Lae.
“Staying Lae involves costs. However, we realise the PNGSF has failed miserably in preparing the grounds.”