Team PNG

The launching was held at Jack’s of PNG, Waigani Central retail outlet, on October 25, 2023, ahead of the Pacific Games which is 24 days away.

The supporting merchandise contributes to the advancement of sports in Papua New Guinea. By wearing the merchandise, not only do the supporters spread awareness of Team PNG participating at the 2023 Pacific Games, but also foster a sense of unity and pride for the national team.

Team PNG will compete in 20 sports, involving a team of 520, including athletes, officials, management, and medical staff.

From an initial roster of 24 sports, Rugby 9s, Judo, and Sailing, were excluded and most recently, Karate, has been excluded.

The decision on Karate is being appealed by the sport to the PNG Sports Dispute Tribunal.

The Government is fully committed to assembling a determined and formidable team of athletes.

Prime Minister James Marape, an advocate for the unifying power of sports, emphasized the remarkable ability of sports to unite nations, forge friendships among youth and athletes, and promote healthy lifestyles.

He said the Government wholeheartedly endorsed the PNG team and called upon the athletes, Team PNG management, and the PNG Olympic Committee to prepare diligently, upholding the nation's honour.

Their dedication and guidance play an instrumental role in transforming athletes' preparations into remarkable feats on the field. Today, we pay tribute to a true volleyball icon, the late Alex Gima, whose remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the sport.

With a legacy spanning both his time as a player and a coach for Team PNG, Gima's influence on volleyball has been profound. As a player, he experienced the thrill of the game firsthand, channeling his passion and skills into his coaching endeavors later on.

Moiyang is slated to compete in the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m events at the Games.

She started to make her mark in the athletics arena when she won the 1500m Under 16 race at the 2020 National Championships. And she has continued to show her mettle ever since. Despite missing the 2021 National Championships, she excelled at the Highlands Momase Regional Championships, taking top honours in the Open 3000m and 5000m races.

PNG will be participating in two of the seven sports in the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games sports program. The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games will be held from August 4^th - 12th.

The team of 10 will be led by former Papua New Guinea athlete and Olympian, Iammo Launa, who is also the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee Female Vice President.

Team PNG will be participating in Athletics and Swimming. Athletics athletes are Judy Mitchell, Christina Moiyang and Suaire Goiye, who are currently in Gold Coast for lead-up competitions and training.

Samu Sasama dedicated over three decades of his life to sports administration and education, serving in various capacities within the NSI and actively participating in sports. Notably, he represented Papua New Guinea in Rugby League as Kumul No. 35, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.

The scholarships have been designed to provide financial assistance to the selected recipients, allowing them to concentrate solely on their training and preparations in the months leading up to the games.

Team PNG expresses heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the athletes and coaches to KUMUL Consolidated Holdings for their invaluable support as a proud sponsor.

Thirteen PNG athletes have been selected for the 17 strong Melanesian team that will compete against Micronesia, Polynesia, Australia and host, Northern Marianas.

The Oceania Cup has been brought back into the calendar in Oceania to align with the Oceania and World Athletics strategic plan to create more international competition opportunities for the athletes in the region.

Previous editions of the Oceania Cup have been held in Vanuatu , Samoa and Australia. Saipan was chosen this year as it has the best facility in the Pacific Islands.

Bea was a proud representative of Papua New Guinea, having competed at various international competitions such as the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the 2015 Commonwealth Games in Samoa.

Among her accomplishments, Bea's most notable representation of Team PNG was at the Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Games, where she achieved an impressive 4th place finish in the Women's 48kg category, narrowly missing out on a Bronze medal.