PNG athletes take on Brisbane track

A TEAM of Papua New Guinean relay athletes will assemble in Brisbane over the next few days as they prepare to take on Australia, New Zealand and Fiji next Saturday at the Brisbane Track Classic.
Athletics PNG president Tony Green says he is not expecting too much from the PNG athletes as this will be, for many of them, their first competition since the Pacific Games.
The classic is the first major event on the Australian track calendar and the main focus would be on relays as the Australian men’s and women’s team seek to improve their world rankings.
“For each of the men’s and women’s relay events (4x100m and 4x400m), only the top 16 teams in the world will be invited to participate in the Olympic Games relay competition,” Green said in a statement yesterday.
“Athletics Australia has, therefore, invited its neighbouring countries to compete against its teams next week in Brisbane.”
The PNG men’s contingent will include Nelson Stone, Mowen Boino, John Rivan, Kevin Kapmatana, Ruwan Gunasinghe and Reginald Monagi. 
Toea Wisil will be joined by Betty Burua, Helen Philemon, Donna Koniel and Adrine Monagi whereas Salome Dell is expected to focus on her 800m individual race.
Rivan, Kapmatana, Koniel, Adrine Monagi and Helen Philemon leave Port Moresby today with coach Naomi Polum and will have a competition tomorrow evening at the University of Queensland.
“This event is very much out of season for us and the main purpose of the exercise is to assist the Australian teams,” Green said.
“It does, however, provide an opportunity to the younger athletes to gain some experience, and this programme has kept them busy throughout
what is normally a quiet time of year so the athletes will be in good shape going into the 2012 season,” he added.