West getting ready

 By FRANCIS ULIAU in Kimbe

WEST New Britain authorities are progressing work on developing a main and four satellite stadiums for the 2016 PNG Games. The Games had been scheduled for November 26 to December 10.

During a tour of the stadium sites on Tuesday with Australian-based builders Mick Cook and Louis Underwood of Total Exhibition Services, deputy chairman of the Host Organising Committee Dacca Wagai said they were adamant on delivering the Games on schedule and as promised.

“As in developing any major impact project, you will expect minor hiccups and problems along the way.

“We are addressing all these inconveniences as and when they occur, and are confident of delivering the Games in November. Nothing will stop us. 

“The provincial government, administration and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel are behind the PNG Games and are committed to ensuring its success.

“Governor Muthuvel has taken on the task personally to deliver the Games to the people of PNG,” Wagai told The National during a tour of the soccer academy facility at Kulingi where a satellite stadium would also be located. Venues for the other satellite stadiums are at Mosa (golf and hockey) and Hoskins Girls Secondary School.

Kimbe Urban LLG will have the main stadium  and the fourth one.

“We’re also considering turning the Hoskins Girls Secondary venue into an indoor complex for boxing, kickboxing, taekwondo, karate, weightlifting and power lifting,” Wagai told the touring party.

He said the organising committee was looking at engaging Australia’s Total Exhibition to build temporary tents of steel and canvas and convert them into changing rooms for players and to house Games officials, security personnel including police and medical personnel.

“The West New Britain government is very serious about the PNG Games and is taking it head-on,” Wagai said.

The 2016 PNG Games will be laucnhed in Port Moresby next Tuesday, March 1.