Queen’s Baton arrives in Port Moresby

By HUXLEY LOVAI
The Queen’s Baton arrived in Port Moresby from Kimbe after the closing ceremony of the PNG Games on Saturday.
Before the baton travels to the Solomon Islands tomorrow, over 150 school children from five schools in Port Moresby were given the chance to see it during the Queen’s Baton Relay sports clinic at the Sir john Guise Stadium.
The clinic was organised by the PNG Olympic Committee and Unicef, with different sporting codes providing short clinics for the students who had a chance to try out the different sporting activities which included soccer, rugby league, Australian rules football and cricket.
Unicef country representative Dr Karen Allen said sports and play were a crucial part of every child’s life where they learnt to develop self-confidence, motivate themselves and lead active lifestyles.
PNGOC secretary-general Auvita Rapilla said it was a unique opportunity to view the Queen’s Baton as it made its way through the region.
“As the Queen’s Baton Relay makes its way through the Commonwealth, our Team PNG athletes are preparing for the Pacific Mini Games as well,” Rapilla said.
“Athletes from PNG had been participating in the Commonwealth Games since 1962.
The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be the 14th time that PNG athletes will be participating in the games.
“We have 61 elite athletes now preparing for the games, some of whom have already qualified including two of our para-athletes who have earned the right to compete on merit at the Games,” Rapilla said.