Preparations for Tokyo Olympics ‘a challenge’ amid Covid-19

PREPARING athletes for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games amid the Covid-19 pandemic is a challenge for Team Papua New Guinea, according to an official.
But resources are needed to prepare the athletes and the Prime Minister’s Golf Challenge, scheduled to tee off on Oct 30, is one of the events aimed at raising funds for Team PNG.
And to begin preparations for the challenge, The National reaffirmed its support with the presentation of T-shirts to the PNG Olympic Committee at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club on Friday.
“We’d really like for more of our athletes to go out and qualify on merit so the golf challenge will really help in getting more support under the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic,” committee corporate manager Ian Leklek said.
“Basically, our preparations have been put on hold and most of the qualifiers for our athletes have also been postponed.
“The continued support from The National for this prestigious event helps our athletes’ preparations on home soil and for their qualifiers when they travel.
“We’re fortunate to have some sports resume their competitions so some of our national athletes have been keeping busy in the country.”
He said golf challenge was one of Team PNG’s biggest fundraising events with Lae and Port Moresby as hosts following the easing of travel restrictions between provinces.
“The Lae tournament, for the first time in the challenge, will tee off on Oct 11 and we’re expecting 20 teams to take part,” Leklek said.
“The Port Moresby tournament will tee off on Oct 30 with we’re expecting about 40 teams to take part.”