The PNG Weightlifting Federation president says the door is still open for Steven Kari to return to training and participate in upcoming international events.
PNGWF vice-president Frank Robby said he had gone to Kari’s house last month to inform him of a special invitation from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for Kari to attend a one week training program in Nouméa. Kari refused the invite however.
“Kari was just one of the top weightlifters from all over the Oceania region that were invited to attend the training program.
“I was a bit hurt by his decision but I respect it,” said Robby.
He said Kari is still also under an injury cloud which he made clear was not “weightlifting related”.
PNGWF president Sir John Dawanincura added that there were events like the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Weightlifting Championships next month in Houston, USA, the 2016 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and the 2016 Oceania Weightlifting Championships in Fiji.
“There is also the 2016 Rio Olympics where we are aiming to send three of our top weightlifters to.
“The decision is his. It rest on his shoulders. Steven is still part of the weightlifting family. We have not closed the door on him and it is still open for him to return back to training,” said Dawanincura.