Toua needs State help

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK

 WEIGHTLIFTING champion Dika Toua has called on the Government to provide more support for athletes such as herself who have sacrificed much of their time in representing Papua New Guinea.

She told The National yesterday that she had been representing the country in international events for more than 10 years but received no financial help from the Government.

“It was only after returning from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland (in 2014) with gold medals that the Government announced the incentive to provide K100,000 for gold medal winners,” she said.

“I am very concerned about my two children’s future as I don’t get any financial support from the Government to look after myself and my family.

“Yes, I am proud to represent my country and to promote the nation’s image at the international sporting arena. 

“I do not get anything (from it). It is my sponsor (Trukai Industries) that is supporting me by buying my sporting gear.”

She however welcomed the Government’s initiative to give financial incentives for athletes – K20,000 to gold medal winners, K10,000 to silver and K5000 to bronze medal winners. She spent yesterday registering herself for the national identification project at the Lakani United Church in Hanuabada.

Team PNG chef de mission Richard Kassman recently said most of the local athletes participating in the Games were unemployed.

“Almost 87 per cent of our athletes are unemployed. They are from the village and settlements. They are not professionals. They sacrificed their time to represent our country,” Kassman said.