Sir Bob farewells baton

By ISAAC LIRI
THE Queens Baton Relay for the 2018 Commonwealth Games was officially farewelled from Papua New Guinea last night at Government House by the Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.
Sir Bob acknowledged the baton on behalf of the State before it left for the Solomon Islands.
He said the baton relay was a significant event which depicted unity, diversity and peace among the Commonwealth countries including PNG.
Before the Queen’s Baton farewell in Port Moresby, the baton also visited Kimbe in West New Britain over the weekend for the closing ceremony of the 7th PNG Games.
“Papua New Guinea has been a proud member of the Commonwealth since 1975, and our involvement in the Commonwealth predates our independence,” Sir Bob said.
“ As the Territory of Papua and New Guinea we sent our team to the British Empire Games in Perth, Australia. As the Queen’s representative in this state, I very much appreciate the Queen’s Baton’s visit, signifying a collective human relationship among the people.
“I understand that thebaton has been well received by all here in PNG and I can proudly say that the Queen’s Baton relay here was a successful one.”
PNG Olympic Committee secretary-general Auvita Rapilla said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is a powerful opportunity to connect communities with the games. The relay has been an integral part of the Commonwealth Games since the 1950 games in Cardiff, Wales.
“This is the fourth time the Queen’s Baton has visited PNG. We are delighted it has visited us again as it signals the beginning of the Gold Coast Games.”
The visit coincided with the PNG Games in Kimbe.
The farewell was attended by PNG’s first Commonwealth Games gold medallist Geua Tau and current athletics representative Nelson Stone.