The Minister for Sports Hon. Justin Tkachenko today officially announced that the 7th PNG Games set for November have been deferred to March 2017.
This was because the PNG Games Council together with the National Government have decided that the FIFA U20 Women’s World World Cup, as a global event should take prominence.
"The World Cup needs to be given a standing ovation by itself to promote it and we need to ensure that the world sees Papua New Guinea," Minister Tkatchenko said.
Adding that hosting two events at the same time the PNG Games and the FIFA World Cup may allow us to lose track on of the World Cup as well as the PNG Games.
"This will give more ample time for provincial teams to be able to prepare and train ahead for the PNG Games," Tkatchenko stressed.
"It will also allow the construction for the venue and facilities for the PNG Games to be well structured and completed."