Royal to give medals

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Friday June 26th, 2015

 By HENRY MORABANG

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will do the first medal presentation for the triathlon at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium during the Pacific Games.

Sports and Pacific Games Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced this during a press conference at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Complex.

He said it was a measure of the standing the Games enjoyed that His Royal Highness had agreed to officially open the event on July 4 and do the presentation for the first competition — triathlon — on July 5.

The presentation will be held at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium on completion of the triathlon competition.  The minister said apart from triathlon, Prince Andrew would present medals to weightlifters for the men’s (56kg, 62kg) and women’s (48kg, 53kg) events. 

Tkatchenko said the country, including the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, was delighted Prince Andrew had accepted the invitation to visit PNG and officially open the Games.

This will be His Royal Highness’ second visit.  

The Duke Of York is a keen supporter of Norwich City Football (soccer) club in the English Premier League and will find time in his schedule during the Games to watch a soccer match between Vanuatu and Tahiti.

Tkatchenko said competitors from across the Pacific, as well as the people of Papua New Guinea, would surely accord His Royal Highness a warm welcome during his visit around the sporting venues.

Football competition manager Joseph Ealedona confirmed that Prince Andrew would watch a soccer match between Tahiti and Vanuatu at Bisini Football Stadium during his stay in Port Moresby.

Depending on the recommendation from Oceania Football Confederation head of the competition Michael Song, the minister and the Games Organising Committee want to stage the finals at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium at Konedobu.