Support athletics

I HAVE just had the privilege of participating in the television commentary for the athletics programme for the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
I have been doing the television commentary off-and-on since the 1999 Games in Guam.
The current PNG athletics team has been the most cohesive that I have ever seen.
Their team spirit and camaraderie is of the highest order. They have made me proud.
As a national selector for athletics in PNG for 14 years and being awarded honourary life membership of Athletics PNG, I have seen many teams in many different situations.
This team has bonded incredibly well, and has produced some outstanding results.
I am deeply dismayed at the negative publicity that Athletics PNG has been getting from social media and some journalists.
What is their agenda?
The team I have witnessed in Samoa is cohesive, proud and highly competitive.
What is the problem?
Team PNG has had to contend with the Samoan Team that prepared in China for four months, and their perennial rivals, Fiji.
They have done extremely well.
Australia and New Zealand had not been invited to join the Pacific Games, then we would have won four more gold medals – bringing us to a total of 18 gold, easily our best “away games”.
The Athletics PNG executive, the coaches and provincial leaders have put together a team that PNG can be truly proud of. With resources far below what was available for the “home games” of 2015, they have done the country proud.
I implore disgruntled individuals and officials to cease their sniping and get behind this great PNG team.
They will be on display in 2020 at the Melanesian Athletics Championships in Port Moresby.
I hope that you can come out in force, like you did in 2015, and support your fantastic PNG champions.
I will be there to support them, and hope you can join me.
Who can forget the way you came out in force to cheer them on them in 2015! To be at the Sir John Guise Stadium during those Games was an emotional and sporting highlight for me. Always remembered.
I was truly proud to see them in action in Apia, and loved sending the news back to the television audience in PNG.
Go PNG Athletics.

Bob Snow
Hon Life Member of Athletics