PNG to send 34 athletes for Games

Sports

A TOTAL of 34 athletes have been confirmed to attend the July 28-Aug 8 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom, says Team Papua New Guinea chef de mission Michael Henao.
“With 23 days to go before the Games, we’re pleased to announce that 34 athletes from the endorsed six sports are now hard at training,” he said.
“Twenty of these athletes returned from the Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Marianas on June 25.”
Team PNG will be competing in athletics, boxing, squash, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting.
“Of these sports, four athletes have qualified under the regional qualification process confirmed by the Commonwealth Games Federation,” Henao said.
“They include weightlifting’s Dika Toua and Morea Baru and table tennis’ Geoffrey Loi and Tammy Agari.
“We are excited that a total of 22 young PNG athletes will debut when they compete in the 20th edition of the Commonwealth Games later this month.
“This will be PNG’s 15th Commonwealth Games since we joined the movement in 1961 under the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.
“We are pleased that we have a balanced team with experience from our 12 elite athletes and a pool of 22 young ones who will be debuting in the Games.”
Henao said Team PNG include track and field athletes with athletics boasting the biggest team of 18, seven from boxing, three from squash, and two each from swimming, table tennis and weightlifting.
A total of 56 athletes and officials will form Team PNG. They will depart Port Moresby on July 23.
The athletes who are training abroad will join Team PNG in Birmingham.