Sports told to stop or move

By ISAAC LIRI
SPORTS that use the elite sporting venues in Port Moresby have been told by the PNG Sports Foundation to complete their competitions before September 24 because of the Apec summit.
National Sports Trust Limited chief of operations officer David Aua confirmed with The National yesterday that sporting venues like the Rita Flynn Complex, Bisini Sports Precinct and the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre would be used during the Apec meeting.
Aua said Rita Flynn would be used as the Joint Security Task Force Logistics Centre and the surrounding area which included the Bisini Sports Precinct would be closed as requested to be a secured location while the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre would be used as the media centre.
“Apec requested use of our sporting venues and it is a significant event that the country is going to host for the first time,” Aua said.
“We understand that it’s going to affect the sports such as soccer, netball, AFL, softball and others that use the venue.
“We’ve already informed the sports that use these venues and we’ve advised them to complete their games before deadline or to find an alternative venue to complete their seasons.”
Aua said he understood that several international sporting events such as the U15 Oceania Championships were coming up in December therefore he would have to check with the relevant bodies to see if they could move it to the Sir John Guise Stadium.
“The Sir John Guise Stadium would be used for Apec too but it won’t be a closed venue like the other three,” Aua added.
Apec is set to use the three sporting venues from Sept 24 to Dec 10.