This is our games, says Sir Rabbie

PNG Games organising committee chairman Sir Rabbie Namaliu is appealing to the people of East New Britain to take ownership of the event.
Speaking on Radio East New Britain on Monday, Sir Rabbie said sport was an instrument that “fostered unity” and the “people should take ownership of it”.
He said the PNG Games concept had grown from humble beginnings but had become a major uniting force.
Sir Rabbie’s comments were supported by Samu Sasamu from the PNG Sports Foundation, who said the foundation was committed to the grassroots games concept because it was a unifying event.
Sasamu and colleague John Susuve featured on the same radio talkback show with Sir Rabbie and made a special appeal to all provinces to urgently submit the names of all their athletes before Sept 30.
Sasamu and Susuve toured selected venues of the Games and confirmed the organising committee’s assurance that the province would be ready to deliver the Games – reiterating the appeal for provinces to come to ENB.
They re-affirmed that HOC’s stand that the provinces had the sporting facilities to stage the Games even if the new Kokopo (Takubar) Sports ground was not completed.
They said contrary to negative publicity by other media that the main sports venues at Takubar, East New Britain, had other sporting grounds of the required standard and which could be used to stage the Games.
They said they were pleased with the preparation so far and would work closely with the organising committee and its secretariat to provide advice, guidance and help, especially in planning and organising sports competitions.