Top athletes clash

 TOP sprinter Nelson Stone will feature with the country’s best at the 50th National Athletics Championships at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae this weekend. 

Stone, a semi-finalist at last year’s Commonwealth Games in the 100m in India will face strong competition from John  Rivan,  Joe Matmat, Kupun Wisil Reginald Worealevi, Nelson Stone, Wala Gime and Paul Pokana.

Wisil won last year’s 100m in 10.60 with Rivan in second place in 10.80.

The championships, which have again attracted a large number of nominations will commence on Friday afternoon with heats in the 400m and conclude on Sunday. 

Three hundred and fifty athletes have been nominated as of 5pm today from 11 centres. 

PNGAU president Tony Green said it was good to see both East Sepik and New Ireland back after an absence of several years, thanks to the efforts of coaches Otto Wafia and Maryanne Salameng who have been promoting the sport in these respective centres since relocating at the beginning of this year. 

Other provinces and centres confirmed are Jiwaka,  Simbu , Mt Wilhelm,Goroka , Karkar  Bulolo, Lae, NCD and East New Britain.

A full range of events will again be conducted in the Open and U18 divisions, with sprint events only for the U16’s. 

PNG’s top sprinter Nelson Stone will be at the championships whereas Toea Wisil and Salome Dell are currently in Brisbane preparing for the Pacific Games. 

Business houses sponsoring the championships include     NCS , Panamex Pacific, Anava Coffee, Chemcare Pharmacies, G4S Communications, Andersons Foodland, Prima Smallgoods, and Papua Niugini Freezers.

With Sapolai Yao in Brisbane, Kupsy Bisamo is expected to dominate the men’s long distance events. 

However, Simbu are said to have unearthed another new talent, with reports of a youngster beating  national squad member Skene Kiage in a road race in Kundiawa last weekend. 

The women’s middle and long distance events are also becoming more competitive thanks to an increase in the number of athletes from Simbu performing well in these events.

Newcomers Jenny Albert (1500m), Gertrude Joe (5000m) and Cecelia Kuman (3000m) have all been impressive this year and will provide a strong challenge to some of the more established runners.

Sharon Kwarula, who has made a strong comeback to the track  this year will be the athlete to beat in both the sprint and hurdle events. 

With Wisil , Betty Burua and Donna Koniel  overseas, her main competition will come from Helen Philemon and Venessa Waro

Although entries have now closed for the Pacific Games and it is too late for new athletes to be considered, members of the Games squad know that they are required to perform at the championships to cement their places in the team.

Green said although the Pacific Games team had been finalised already, no announcement will be made until after the championships.

“There are a small number of athletes who have yet to perform to the required standard and we will of course be encouraging  and pushing them to do their best this weekend.”