PNGOC stands by Toua

Matter has been resolved: Chef de mission Wardley

THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) says Pacific Games gold medallist Dika Toua still remains a part of Team PNG despite recent reports of her being charged with assault.
Pacific Games champion Toua – a 12-time and current Oceania titlist, and Commonwealth titlist – was arrested and charged with unlawful assault on March 25.
PNGOC said in a statement on Friday that they were aware of the matter and were informed that Toua had engaged a legal counsel to resolve the matter.
“PNGOC respects the court processes and looks forward to a speedy resolution of this matter,” it said.
“Until such time when the matter is concluded, Dika (Toua) remains part of Team PNG for the Tokyo Olympics.
“She has represented PNG since 1998 and has won numerous medals for the country at the Oceania and Commonwealth Championships, Pacific Games and Commonwealth Games.
“Dika created history at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 when she became the first female weightlifter to lift when the female weightlifting competition was contested for the first time at the Olympic Games.
“She is set on creating history again by being the first female lifter to compete at five Olympics when she competes in Tokyo in July.
“Dika was our flag bearer at the 2004 Athens Olympics Games and has always represented Team PNG and the country with distinction.”
Meanwhile, Team PNG chef de mission Tamzin Wardley told The Pacific Beat that the matter involving Toua had already been resolved.
“(It) was a personal and family matter, and it’s not impacted anything to do with the Olympic team,” she said.
“Dika’s actually gone to Australia to start training again, so her preparations remain on track, but she’s doing her quarantine at the moment.
“Once out of quarantine, Toua and her teammate Morea Baru will head to Melbourne, to re-join their long-time coach Paul Coffa at the new Oceania Weightlifting Institute.”
Wardley also told ABC Radio Australia that Toua had been given permission to leave PNG by National Pandemic Response Controller and Police Commissioner David Manning, however, she was alleged to have breached her bail condition which ordered her not to leave the National Capital District without the leave of the court.
Meanwhile, Boroko District Court Magistrate Billy Pidu has directed the police to seek the assistance of Australian Federal Police or Interpol to send Toua back to PNG after she had failed to appear in court on May 15, 17 and 19.