Team cop abuse

By ELIZABETH VUVU
A GROUP of Team Hela athletes and officials were stopped from flying out of Kokopo yesterday morning by disgruntled service providers.
They were trying to board a Travel Air flight at Tokua airport when they were confronted by service providers from Vunamami village and Kokopo police.
A total of 62 team members have been staying at Vunamami and Tagitagi villages since the PNG Games ended three weeks ago.

Earlier reports said they were stranded because of unpaid accommodation and transport costs but team leader David Erepo said this week the officials and athletes had volunteered to remain in Kokopo and settle their outstanding bills before returning home.
A source from Vunamami confirmed reports of the commotion at Tokua airport, saying the service providers had alerted Kokopo police after learning of the team’s departure. During the confrontation, a fight broke out between the two groups but police intervened and calmed the situation.
The source said that three team officials were taken into custody by police but later released on the understanding that payments of the outstanding bills would be made by the end of this week.
The source added that service providers from Vunamami were given an assurance by Hela Governor Anderson Agiru yesterday that payments would be made soon.
Meanwhile, the Hela team members staying at Tagitagi maintained they would remain in the village as a mark of good faith to ensure their debts were paid by the Hela provincial government.
Team leader Erepo reiterated that they would leave Kokopo only after all their bills were paid.
He added that service providers, who had been providing accommodation, transportation and meals for the team since the games ended, were also hoping the matter would be resolved soon.