Surfing to go on big stage in Tokyo

AS the world converges on Tokyo, Japan, for the July 23-Aug 8 Olympics, surfing will be staged for the first time in the global showpiece event.
Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea (SAPNG) president and co-founder Andrew Abel said they had been contacted by the Tokyo Olympic organisers to present information and images of the best surfing waves and locations in PNG, based on the established SAPNG surf management plan areas that have been developed over the last 32 years in partnership with traditional resource custodians around the country and now in Bougainville.
He said following on from the inaugural 2017 PNG Kumul World Longboard Championship that was co-hosted by the World Surf League at Tupira Surf Club in Ulingan Bay, Bogia, Madang, that was streamed live to 120 million people around the globe, the staging of surfing now in the Olympics was a whole new dimension which would be a great opportunity to showcase PNG like never before.
The Japanese Olympic Committee will be showcasing surfing nations of the International Surfing Association Incorporated (ISA) at the Surf Museum located at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach where the surfing competition will be staged.
The images of surfing waves in PNG will be displayed on large panels and will contain detailed information on the best surfing waves in PNG with the national flag, and SAPNG and PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) logos.
Abel expressed excitement that after 32 years of been an ISA member and supporting the efforts of ISA president Fernando Aguerre to gain acceptance and recognition of surfing as an Olympic sport, that dream had now finally been achieved and SAPNG had been part of that long journey.
SAPNG and PNGTPA are looking forward to promoting the country as a surfing nation at the Olympics .