Madang may be the first Province to start the New Year with a Provincial Games tournament to prepare for the 2016 PNG Games that will be hosted in West New Britain in November.
The Sports Office under the Community Development Department is working around the clock to ensure its all systems go from January 26 to the 29th.
Provincial Sports Officer Robin Hevesa said the four day tournament will see the six districts compete against each other in various codes.
Districts sports officers have been lodging team numbers in preparation for the tournament.
“Teams will take part in soccer, volleyball, basketball, karate, kickboxing, dart and touch rugby,” he said.
“Each district will have one team in each division. The only exception is Soccer two teams can be lodged to identify talent on a wider scope,” he said.
Unfortunately Athletics won’t be included over the four days.
These events will be contested during the first term school holidays using the Tusbab Field and Laiwoden,” Hevesa said.
He said other games like softball have an established association and the team will be picked from their regular competition to represent Madang at the PNG Games.
The Provincial Government has set aside K100,000 for the games.
He said Madang will defend its title in Soccer in the Kimbe Games and will select a better side to bring the medal tally up this time around.
Selection will be based on performance and good behavior.