Port Moresby embraces mascot Tura

 By JACK AMI

THE 2015 Games Mascot, “Kokomo, The Tura” was welcomed to the city of Port Moresby at the Jack Pidik Park yesterday.

Tura means friend in the motu language and it signifies the friendship and unity through the Pacific in Papua New Guinea during the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

The mascot was unveiled and launched at the Tubusereia village on Wednesday. Yesterday Kokomo “The Tura” was escorted by police traffic, police band and Morobe province traditional dancers.

Five hundred balloons were released in the air for the final countdown of 500 days remaining before the 2015 Pacific Games.

National Capital District Commission deputy City Manager Honk Kiap took the honor of welcoming the 2015 Games Mascot Kokomo, The Tura witnessed by NCDC Commissioners, Pacific Games general manager Peter Stewart and Games Organizing Committee chairperson Emma Waiwai and school children.

NCD Governor who was supposed to officiate at the welcoming was busy for the Parliament session yesterday.

Kiap said Port Moresby is ready for the Pacific Games in spite of the negative publicity by the international media of the country. He said that it will bring people together from the different 800 languages as well as the Pacific during the Games.

“We are ready to also prove to the Pacific and the world to be witness and invite them to be part of the best Games in PNG.”

Tura, The Kokomo will visit other parts of the city and the other 19 provinces as well to market and promote the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.