Tine graduates from US military institute

TUNA Tine recently graduated from New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell, United States (US), after completing a two-year programme.
While primarily a military school as the name indicates, it is also a recognised junior college and participates in national junior college sporting programmes.
“NMMI does not have a track and field team, it has a cross country programme and it was through this programme that Tuna was offered a full scholarship for two years, following in the footsteps of New Ireland athlete Esther Simon who graduated last year and moved onto a university,” Athletics Papua New Guinea president Tony Green said.
“We know that Tuna worked hard for the last two years and we are very proud of her.
“It is not always possible to align our programmes and major Games with those of individual colleges and universities in the US as well as the academic pursuits of individual athletes.
“However, both women have a future in track and field, and we are now working with Tuna to help her secure a scholarship to a university so she can gain a degree and be part of a good track programme as well as future PNG teams.”
Green said the Covid-19 lockdown had given many student athletes an extra year in the US.
“Meaning they have more time to complete their studies while still competing in the same number of seasons of track and field,” he said.