The PNG boxing team will return to the country today after an unsuccessful campaign at last month’s Asian Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Qian'an, China.
The four – Andrew Aisaga in the 69kg division, Charles Keama 52kg, Thadius Katua 60kg and Jonathan Keama 75kg all lost their fights in their preliminary bouts on points.
National boxing coach Joe Aufa said the team will now await the national federation (PNG Boxing Union) and the PNG Olympic Committee to decide what their next assignment is.
"Whatever decision they make is up to them but for us, the boxers must continue to train because this part of our elite squad and we must be ready for whatever competition that becomes available," said Aufa, a Star 2 AIBA accredited coach.
He added that it had been a great campaign for the team.
“While we did not achieve our goal of qualifying for the Olympics, the boxers gave it their best shot.
“Not getting Katua's bout awarded to us when we thought we had clearly won was quite disappointing but it did not only happen to us, other countries also had such bad luck too,” said Aufa.
He said the country could be still be proud that all of PNG’s boxers lost on points unlike other countries that were outclassed with their bouts abandoned early in the 3 min X 3 rounds contest.
"We really cannot ponder on that anymore but at least we are confident that our boxers are improving to world standards," said Aufa.