PNGOC to focus on two Games

THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has a hectic 2022 calendar with its main focus on preparing and sending Team PNG to the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Marianas, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in June and July respectively.
Committee general secretary Auvita Rapilla highlighted the importance of setting achievable goals with clear workable plans aligned with PNGOC’s objectives.
“It will be another challenging year, especially with two Games this year, the June 17-25 Pacific Mini Games and the July 28-Aug 8 Commonwealth Games,” Rapilla said.
“PNGOC has the audacious task of raising funds to send Team PNG to these two Games to represent the country.” The committee’s major fundraising events for Team PNG are the annual Trukai Fun Run and the Prime Minister’s Corporate Golf Challenges, which have been impacted by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) since 2021.
It said it was optimistic that “our country’s Covid-19 landscape will improve to allow PNGOC to conduct these much-needed fundraising events”.
The year will kick off with the arrival of the Queen’s baton next Saturday before it continues its journey on Feb 1 to the Solomon Islands and onwards to other Commonwealth nations.
Other highlights of the year include the SP Sports Awards (May), Olympic Week celebrations coinciding with the Olympic Day on June 23, and the June 4 annual general assembly.
The main event will be the PNG Sports Hall of Fame to honour and preserve sporting moments by recognising the legacy of individuals who excelled and brought pride and distinction to the country.
In addition, the committee also runs community programmes and provides training for athletes and sports officials on a number of topics and issues.
Some of these include Olympic values, environmental campaigns, education and career pathways, and sports for development.