Team PNG to leave on Sunday

Sports

By SULI SULI
TEAM Papua New Guinea to this month’s Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games will travel to Saipan this Sunday, according to chef de mission Kila Dick.
He told The National on Monday that more than 140 Team PNG athletes and officials were to attend the June 17-27 Games.
Dick said the team would assemble in Port Moresby this week to prepare for their departure.
“We’re getting our United States visa applications processed,” he said. “Our international vaccination cards have gone through the Health Department. We should be able to get them by this week.”
The team will also undergo a Coronavirus (Covid-19) test tomorrow as part of their travel requirements.
“We want to ensure that all our athletes and officials are free from Covid-19 in order for us to board the flight on Sunday,” Dick said.
Some overseas-based athletes will join Team PNG in Port Moresby this week while others will join the contingent in Saipan next week.
“Australian-based Team PNG athletes will come through Port Moresby and we all travel together on a chartered flight,” Dick said.
“The others will travel on commercial flights to Saipan.”
Team PNG will compete in weightlifting, athletics, tennis, va’a and golf. Dick said Team PNG had gone through high-level training in the past few months.
“From reports received, our preparations have been going very well,” he said.
“Training has been good for many of our athletes, and we’re aiming to win medals.”
Team PNG has had a good record in the past Games, so Dick is confident that experienced athletes in Toea Wisil, Dika Toua, Morea Baru and Abigail Tere-Apisah will inspire the younger athletes for the upcoming Games this year.
“Many of our athletes have a wealth of experience in the Pacific Mini Games and Pacific Games, so we’re eyeing gold,” he said ahead of the team’s departure.
“I’m sure the senior athletes will take the lead in those different sports to boost the younger talents.”
Meanwhile, Dick urged the country to rally behind Team Papua New Guinea for this month’s Games.