Team East Sepik has started their preparation for next year’s PNG Games to be staged in Kimbe, West New Britain.
The ground work to field a competitive team for the 2016 Games started early this year, and next month will see the provincial games played to identify potential athletes.
The games will be played in the provincial capital, Wewak, on November 6.
“Focus of the provincial games is to pick a train on squad for Team Sepik,” said Clarence Hukahu, Team Sepik manager.
“By December, we expect to finalise the squad and run training for the individual codes.”
Hukahu told Loop PNG that the codes confirmed to participate are soccer (12 men and 6 women’s teams), volleyball (8 men and women), touch rugby (4 men and women), dart (6 teams), basketball (4 men and women) and athletics.
He added that the codes which took part in the 2014 PNG Games but not listed had themselves to blame.
“Other sporting coordinators failed by not fulfilling requirements but a chance will be given to medal winners in the last games to be drafted into the train on squad.”
Also, neighbouring Aitape district in the Sandaun Province will be sending three teams to give competition.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the games are still waiting for financial support from the Provincial Government Sports Office.
“We have requested for K32, 000 and if we do not receive any funding we will still try to host the games,” said Hukahu.
Photo: 2014 Team Sepik at the walking into the opening ceremony arena. File Picture.