We need more funding, HOC says

 By LARRY AULA ANDREW

THE Host Organising Committee for this year’s 6th PNG Games in Lae, Morobe, still needs urgent funding to host the November event.

With 10 months to go the HOC needs the funds to upgrade the sporting venues.

A submission has made to the National Government for funds and the HOC is hoping that financial assistance comes sooner rather than later so work can begin on the venues as soon as possible. 

The HOC revealed this grim news during a presentation of K100,000 cheque by Lae district administrator Robin Callistus on behalf of Lae Member and the Minister of Community Development, Religion and Youth, Loujaya Kouza last week  at Sir Igantius Kilage indoor sport complex.

Callistus when presenting the cheque said the MP had made the commitment to assist the HOC and would assist with another K500,000 after the next Joint District Budget Priority Committee meeting.

Each province is expected to field large teams in 28 sports and the HOC anticipates more than 10,000 officials and athletes converging on the  Morobe capital.

Therefore they need funds to improve the outdoor sporting avenues for games like soccer, cricket, hockey, volleyball, and basketball with other facilities like toilets for athletes and general public to be in place before the games.

 “We have made a submission of K23 million to the National Government before the budget session last year but there is no news,” HOC president Phil Franklyn said.

The Government was pumping in millions into 2015 Pacific games “and they should do likewise to support PNG Games which is the next avenue to prepare our elite athletes for the Pacific Games”.

The HOC said the Morobe Provincial government has committed K5 million for the games with K500,000 made available already while another K500,000 will be released soon.

Corporate sponsorship would be greatly appreciated and any company getting involved would get great mileage as the event covered the whole of Papua New Guinea and will be focus of media this year.

The National Capital District was awarded a disputed win in the last PNG Games in Kokopo, East New Britain in 2012.