PNG swimming set for Oceania titles

The Papua New Guinea Swimming Incoprorated (PNGSI) in partnership with the PNG Sports Foundation will host the 12th Oceania Championship from June 25-30 in Port Moresby.
It will be the 12th edition of the FINA-sanctioned biennial championships under the direction of Oceania Swimming Association.
The pool competition will take place at the Taurama Aquatic Centre for four days while the Open Water 5km and 10km event would be at the Fairfax Harbour Naval base.
The 5km open water swim race will be held on June 25 while the 10km open water swim on June 30.
The 2018 AGM is today at the Taurama Aquatic Centre VIP lounge before the pool competition starts.
“Our aim is to host a well-run international competition for the 16 countries affiliated to Oceania Swimming Association (OSA),” PNG Swimming president Elizabeth Wells said.
“The countries are Australia, Hawaii (USA), Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau, Tonga, Fiji, PNG, Guam, New Zealand, Samoa, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
“Approximately 240 people will be in Port Moresby including teams, families, OSA executives, affiliated country delegates and FINA executives.”
The PNG team has 24 swimmers from Lae Amateur Swimming Club and Boroko Amateur Swimming Club under the guidance of manager Judith Meauri and coaches Shane Akara, Joe Meauri and Rick Van Der Zant.
OSA have been given the approval from FINA that the 12th Oceania Championships will be a qualifying competition for 2018 Youth Olympics and 2019 FINA World Championships.
PNG team: Benedict Livingston Aika, Collin Akara, Felix Devlin, Leonard Kalate, Rehema Kalate, Tanguy Langelet, Derek Oates, Josh Tarere (Lae); Elijah Akunaii, Ian Egora, Seth James, Holly John, Piwen Kutan, Jethro Kupe, Ryan Maskelyne, Lorani Moses, Britney and Anthea Murray, Valilua Nopiri, Sam Seghers, Vincent Tubuyavulina, Matthew Vali, Georgia-Leigh Vele (Boroko); Rachel James (PNG Masters).