Tsiamalili in Sports Foundation hot seat

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

THE next three months will be crucial for newly-appointed PNG Sports Foundation acting executive director, Peter Tsiamalili Junior.

The former Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) chief executive officer and architect behind the popular Super 4s concept has been thrown in the hot seat.

The seat has been a major topic of discussion among sports administrators, since the former executive director Iammo Launa had her position revoked, but still held onto to it in an acting capacity for over a year ago pending a new  appointment.

There was believed to be 16 applicants of which three candidates were short-listed by the public service commission for the National Executive Council to choose from.   

While an official announcement is expected shortly, Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko pre-empted the decision last Thursday in the presence of Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu.

Tkatchenko further confirmed that Tsiamalili Jr will warm the seat in an acting capacity for three months in which time a permanent appointment would be made.

“Then the position will be advertised again for a permanent appointee to be made,” he said.

“It will be a testing time for the new acting executive director but I’m confident that he (Tsiamalili Jr) is a vibrant young leader that brings a fresh new start, new day and beginning for sports in PNG,” he added.

Tsiamalili Jr (pictured) thanked the National Government for their confidence in him and was looking towards the challenge.