The decision to defer the 7th PNG Games to March 2017 has affected service providers and businesses in West New Britain Province.
West New Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Ian O’Hanlon, tells PNG Loop that the deferral has been met with both good and bad reactions.
For service providers the deferral has hurt planning and budgeting made in advance to prepare for the Kimbe Games.
He said many guesthouses, hotels, schools, churches, women’s groups, wholesalers and retailers have overcommitted in preparation for a huge influx of people in November.
“Now budgets have been blown and the service providers have to hang on and survive for a few more months,” said O’Hanlon.
“I have not heard of any business houses forfeiting on loans yet but I am sure there will be a few people scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
O’Hanlon says the PNG Sports Foundation knew about the clash with the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup and the PNG Games for quite time.
He queried why they did not advise of the rescheduling earlier in the year.
The deferral on the other hand has been welcome by organisers, contractors, and teams participating in the games.
“Most of the Provinces have not paid their registration or locked in accommodation yet, which probably means that their athletes are not in full training either.”
“The extra time now allows contractors to complete projects properly, teams to get a few extra months of serious training and for the organisers to tie up loose ends,” said O’Hanlon.