PNGSI set to host swimming comp

The event will be in partnership with PNG Sports Foundation.

It will be the Twelfth edition of the FINA sanctioned biennial championships under the direction of Oceania Swimming Association.

The pool competition will take place at the Taurama Aquatic Centre over 4 days (26-29 June) and the Open Water 5km and 10km event will take place at the Fairfax Harbour Naval base, on the 25^th June and 30^th June respectively.

PNGSI was given the go ahead to host the Championships at the 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Oceania Swimming Association held in Fiji during the 11^th Oceania Championships. The 2018 AGM will be held on Monday 25^th June in Port Moresby at the Taurama Aquatic VIP lounge before the pool competition starts.

“Our aim is to host a well-run international competition for the 16 countries affiliated to Oceania Swimming Association (OSA) who will attend,” said the PNGSI in a statement.

“They are Australia, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Guam, New Zealand, Samoa, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Approximately 240 people will be travelling in to Port Moresby including teams, families, OSA executives, affiliated country delegates and FINA VIPS.”

The Papua New Guinea swim team will be made up of 24 swimmers from Lae Amateur Swimming Club (LASC) and Boroko Amateur Swimming Club (BASC) under the guidance of manager Judith Meauri and team coaches Shane Akara, Joe Meauri and Rick Van Der Zant.  

The swimmers who will represent PNG are: Benedict Livingston Aika, Collin Akara, Felix Devlin, Leonard Kalate, Rehema Kalate, Tanguy Langelet, Derek Oates, and Josh Tarere from LASC; Elijah Akunaii, Ian Egora, Seth James, Holly John, Piwen Kutan, Jethro Kupe, Ryan Maskelyne, Lorani Moses, Britney and Anthea Murray, Valilua Nopiri, Sam Seghers, Vincent Tubuyavulina, Matthew Vali and Georgia-Leigh Vele from BASC and Rachel James from PNG Masters. 

OSA have been given the approval from FINA that the 12^th Oceania Championships will be a qualifying competition for 2018 Youth Olympics and 2019 FINA World Championships.