Tony Green

The championships are being used as a platform to finalize the team for this year’s Pacific Games in Honiara.

The championships which started on Friday 11^th August concluded on Sunday 13^th August with the medal presentations held at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

Approximately 70 athletes from various clubs and including Para athletes had competed at the event.

Athletics PNG President, Tony Green, said in spite of the tremendous potential shown by the code, it still lacks support.

Athletics bagged 22 medals in the 2015 Pacific Games.

“People talk about the 2015 games and how athletics really brought this venue alive and it was just an incredible atmosphere,” Green said.

“But unfortunately, after the games, there was just no interest whatsoever.

“Everything just stopped after the games.

“And now we’re expected to perform next year (2019 Pacific Games) when there’s been no support.”

Out of the over 300 budding athletes who competed was a young East New Briton middle-distance runner who put up an impressive performance.

She is only 16 years old but Lyanne Tibu, who is part of the Kokopo City Athletics Association, gave a strong challenge in the Open women’s division during the three-day championship in Port Moresby.   

She’s a Grade 10 student at the Kokopo Secondary School in East New Britain Province.

Secretary for APNG Philip Rehder said this is to avoid confusing athletes, coaches and observers. 

“APNG are the authority on the matter of team selections and this is not a multi-sport game where our athletes participate under the umbrella of Team PNG,” said Rehder.

This call was backed up by president of APNG, Tony Green, who said both sides of the story must be reported at all times.

“Before publishing negative stories about the conduct of sporting events, please get both sides of the story,” said Green.