Swimming c’ships begin

By MARTHA DERUAGE
FIFTEEN countries will take part in this week’s Oceania Swimming Championships with the opening ceremony yesterday to welcome the region’s best swimmers.
Mini assisting the Prime Minister William Samb welcomed teams from around the Pacific including Australia and New Zealand to Port Moresby which hosts its first regional swimming championships at the Taurama Aquatic Centre.
Samb, who stood for PM Peter O’Neill, who is also the Sports Minister, welcomed swimmers from Fiji, American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, New Zealand and host federation PNG.
“PNG is part of the Oceania family, it is a culturally diverse region but in our unique way we stand united, and welcome you all,” Samb said.
“To all the visiting countries, welcome and we hope you enjoy your stay here and to Team PNG, we wish you all the best.”
The home team’s hopes will be spearheaded by Pacific Games medalists Ryan Maskelyne and Sam Seghers.
The teams paraded out around the Taurama facility as they took in the traditional dancers and songs yesterday evening.
Oceania Swimming Inc president Dennis Miller acknowledged the PNG Swimming Incorporated for organising the event before officially opening the 12th edition of the championships.