Track, field team named

ATHLETICS Papua New Guinea (APNG) has named a strong team of 23 men and 14 women for the Pacific Mini Games in June with two managers and six coaches to accompany them to Saipan, Northern Marianas.
The team includes Pacific sprint champion Toea Wisil and Tokyo Olympian Rellie Kaputin, with sprinters Leroy Kamau and Daniel Baul expected to lead the men’s team.
APNG president Tony Green said the team would aim for a strong showing at the Games as a result of the programmes that had been in place over the last two years.
Whilst many sports have been badly affected by venue closures especially in Port Moresby, athletics has been able to keep its squad members in shape by establish training groups in various centres, including Kerowagi, Goroka, United States (US) and Lae.
The World Athletics-funded training programme for the 2023 World Cross Country Championships combined with support from PNG Air and Prima Smallgoods has been very good for the middle and long distance group.
The US college programme will end in the third week of May at which time the athletes should be in peak form.
After a short break, they will then be able to focus on the Games, with athletics scheduled to take place from June 21-25.
There are a small number of athletes with injury concerns who are being monitored, and one athlete currently undergoing rehab may be added subject to proving fitness to compete.
Plans are in place for the PNG-based team members together with a small number of development squad members to attend the Oceania Championships which will be held in Mackay, Queensland, from June 7-9.
A number of athletes who require specialised coaching for the technical events will head to Queensland later this month for training under head coach Brett Green, jumps and multi-event coach Phillip Newton, and specialist hurdles coaches. These include Kaputin, Eldan Toti (jumps), Adrine Monagi, Daniel Baul (hurdles), and multi-event athletes Karo Iga and Edna Boafob.
Green clarified that the final selection for individual sprinting events would be made by the coaches closer to the Games, and would depend on fitness and performance of the athletes between now and June.
A number of para-athletes are also being considered for the Games and their selection is expected to be finalised by the end of this month when the classification process and the necessary consultations are complete.
Green flew into the country on Monday to spend this week in Goroka with the coaches and PNG-based team members.
The camp has several aims, including team bonding, planning the final and more specific period of training, and encouraging focus and goal setting.
Squad: Men – Leroy Kamau, Emmanuel Anis, Paias Wisil, Terrence Talio, Alphonse Igish, Daniel Baul, Emmanuel Wanga, Shadrick Tansi, Jonathan Dende, Ephraim Lerkin, Adolf Kauba, George Yamak, Aquila Turalom, Israel Takap, Dilu Goiye, Siune Kagl, Wilford Baia, Roland Hure, Eldan Toti, Peniel Richard, Karo Iga, Lakona Gerega, Debono Paraka; Women – Toea Wisil, Isila Apkup, Leonie Beu, Monica Korowi, Adrine Monagi, Edna Boafob, Annie Topal, Scholastica Herman, Aina Goir, Mary Kua, Mary Tenge, Ongan Awa, Rellie Kaputin, Jackie Travertz.