Veteran athletics coach passes

THE athletics fraternity are mourning the passing of coach and administrator Samu Sasama, 63, on Monday at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
PNG Sports Foundation chief executive Albert Veratau said Sasama had departed with a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in sport in general over a career that spanned four decades.
Sasama, who was National Sports Institute’s sports excellence and development manager at the time of his death, dedicated 34 years of his life to sports as a sports administrator and athletics coach.
“He leaves a void that will be missed in the sporting arena whether in coaching, administration, officiating and volunteering,” Veratau said.
“He was a mentor to many who came to know him in the community.
“He was involved with imparting knowledge and skills while training athletes, coaches, teachers, technical officials and volunteers and conducted talent identification camps throughout the country.”
Meanwhile, Athletics PNG president Tony Green has sent his heartfelt condolences to Sasama’s wife Moreen and children Sammy, Samantha and Enoch.
“Athletics PNG board, athletes, coaches and officials around the country and overseas mourn the untimely passing of Samu Sedi Sasama,” he said.
“Sasama was a World Athletics accredited level three sprints coach and past board member of Athletics PNG.
“He coached Peter Pulu and Ivan Warkit to international success and contributed to the creation of the PNG Games in 2003.
“Peter’s 100m record and that of the men’s 4x100m relay team set at the 1995 South Pacific Games in Tahiti still stand today.”
Sasama’s colourful coaching career in athletics involved coaching the likes of Takale Tuna, Isikiel Wartovo, Subul Babo, Babo Nuendorf, John Hou, John D’Siguria, Peter Pulu, Elizabeth Camilus, Late Barbra Ingiro Sapea, Mary Unido, Rosemary Nami, Monica Henao, Sandy Katusele, Ivan Warkit, the Bai brothers (late Edward, Samuel and Geoffrey) just to name a few.
In recent years, Sasama was instrumental in setting up the talent identification and athlete development programme at NSI where he was heavily involved in coaching junior and developing athletes.
Sasama, the Kumul No.65 who played on the wing against New Zealand in Port Moresby in 1982, joined NSI in 1989 as the national athletics coaching director.
He was a high school teacher before joining NSI, who taught mathematics, physical education and expressive arts at Kainantu High and Goroka Demonstration High Schools.
“Many athletes will remember coach Samu for his guidance, support and someone they could turn to when encountering obstacles,” Green said.
“In recognition of his contribution to the development of the current generation of sprinters, evidenced by the success of NSI-based athletes at the 2022 PNG Air National Championships, Samu was appointed head sprints coach for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November.”