PNGOC to induct three legends into hall of fame

Three legends will be inducted as members of the country’s sports hall of fame at a ceremony on Thursday, according to the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC).
This year’s inductees are two women and a man from athletics and netball, lawn bowls and weightlifting respectively. One of the women was a dual representative.
In their prime, they were the best in their sport and competed at the Pacific, Commonwealth and Olympic games levels.
“We are pleased to induct three more legends into the sports hall of fame and look forward to sharing their stories,” PNGOC secretary-general Auvita Rapilla said in a statement.
“Every year, we are in awe of these great athletes and how they overcame their own challenges to be the best our nation has produced.”
The inductees will join 14 others from various backgrounds who have become a permanent part of PNG’s sporting history. Members of the hall of fame are Sir John Kaputin and Edward Laboran (athletics), Tumat Sogolik (boxing), Nigel Cluer (swimming), David and Jackson Seeto (weightlifting), Salitia Pipit (athletics), John Kokinai (athletics), Naomi Polum (athletics), Oe Ivaharia (athletics), Raki Leka (athletics), Charles Martin (swimming), Kea Kapulu Scharz (netball/softball) and Kenneth Hopkins (boxing).
PNGOC established the hall of fame to honour the country’s outstanding former athletes who had contributed immensely through their sporting achievements to nation building.
Rapilla said the hall of fame gave PNG the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the inductees and recognise their successful careers as the country’s elite athletes.
The ceremony will be held in Port Moresby and will be attended by guests from the sporting fraternity, government and the corporate sector.