Team PNG set sail to New Delhi

TEAM PNG will participate at next month’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, after an executive meeting last Friday chaired by the PNG Sports Federation and Olympic Committee secretary-general Sir John Dawanincura.
Sir John said the board met to assess the situation and decided not to withdraw Team PNG from competing at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on Oct 3-14.
He said it was up to the individual athletes and officials to decide on whether they wished to travel or not.
However, Sir John was in close consultation with Karo Rupa, from the office of the PNG High Commissioner Tarcisius Eri in New Delhi, in relation to security briefs.
She was also in constant communications with New Delhi police and the Indian national intelligence organisation officers with regard to recent incidents.
The high commission was satisfied that the security preparations were all in place to counter any situation, and to date no serious or major matters were highlighted during the various briefs.
Sir John said: “The PNGSFOC considers the safety and well-being of PNG athletes and officials as of utmost importance. Athletes and officials travelling have been periodically briefed on the situation in New Delhi by the games management team.
“We have all the faith in the world that our hosts will have the capacity and ability to rectify any problems in the accommodation areas.”
“The executive has given directions to the chef de mission Tamzin Wardley to draw up and circulate very strict security and health guidelines to every member of Team PNG.”
Sir John is also in contact with his Australian and New Zealand counterparts who were already in New Delhi and would keep the executive and Chef de Mission informed of the situation on a daily basis.
Wardley will be travelling before the team and will be in constant communication with the executive about the conditions.
Team PNG’s farewell reception will take place today and the team will leave for India via Brisbane on Wednesday.