PNGOC hopes for aid

THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) says it is hopeful that the Government will help send Team PNG to this year’s Pacific Mini Games and Commonwealth Games.
PNGOC said it was working to secure funds to meet the budget for Team PNG to the June 17-25 Pacific Mini Games and July 28-Aug 8 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Birmingham, England. “PNGOC is hopeful that the Government will step in to assist Team PNG to meet its budget shortfall,” PNGOC president Sir John Dawanicura said.
Meanwhile. PNGOC has completed its justification process to identify sports and endorse athletes and officials for the Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Marianas.
Whilst the Pacific Mini Games will be hosting nine sports – athletics, badminton, baseball, beach volleyball, golf, tennis, triathlon, va’a and weightlifting – PNG will only compete in five.
The five sports endorsed by PNGOC’s justification committee are athletics, golf, tennis, va’a and weightlifting. Beach volleyball and triathlon were not endorsed, and will miss out due to non-compliance with the justification committee’s requirements.
The baseball and badminton national federations opted against fielding athletes in the Pacific Mini Games due to their teams not being prepared. A total of 92 athletes and officials will be part of Team PNG to the Pacific Mini Games.
PNGOC’s justification committee screens and endorses athletes and officials to take part as Team PNG in the Olympic, Commonwealth and Pacific Games.
Team PNG is scheduled to depart for Saipan, Northern Marianas, on June 12.