8 sporting codes dropped from Team PNG

Eight sporting codes might not be participating in the 2019 Pacific Games as their national federations failed to submit documentation to the PNG Olympic Committee.

Boxing, football (soccer), judo, lawn bowls, powerlifting, rugby 9s, taekwondo and va’a (outrigger canoeing) were not endorsed by the Justification Committee (JC) due to the failure to meet the May 18th deadline.

The JC is the body responsible for endorsing sports – and their athletes and officials – to be a part of Team PNG for respective Games.

Of the national federations (NFs) that did submit documentation by the deadline, the JC have either granted an extension to submit fully completed forms, or have endorsed the sport and their officials in cases where all documentation was submitted and in was order.

According to the PNGOC, sports endorsed for Team PNG but have officials either not endorsed, or partially endorsed because of non-submission of nominations forms, are: athletics, weightlifting, table tennis, sailing, touch, basketball, triathlon, netball and tennis.

Sports who have been endorsed for Team PNG and have had their officials fully endorsed are golf, shooting, squash, cricket, archery, badminton and volleyball.

“Rugby 7s and swimming were given extensions to submit their outstanding documentation,” said the Justification Committee.

The decisions of the JC have been communicated formally to each sport by way of a written letter.

Those sports which have not been endorsed for the Pacific Games have the right of appeal to the PNGOC executive board.

National federations also have the right of appeal for individuals that were not endorsed by the JC.

Chairman of the JC, Michael Henao, reflected on the three days of JC meetings by commenting on the importance of all administrators to be held accountable and fulfill the responsibilities placed on them in their roles, which included ensuring the highest standards of compliance are met in the best interest of sport in PNG.

Henao added: “I want to reassure all stakeholders that the JC – a dedicated voluntary committee – recognises the efforts of our national federations and although some of the decisions taken may not sit well with some sports, we take our responsibility seriously and like our sports, we want Team PNG to be made up of the most dedicated and suitable people to ensure its success at the Pacific Games.”

The next time national federations will meet with the JC will be in March 2019 when they will be justifying their final team of athletes to be endorsed for Team PNG to the Pacific Games. This will follow the JC deadline for final team nominations to the Pacific Games set for 27th February 2019.

It is recommended that national federations take into consideration this date when planning selection trials or attending benchmark events.

National Federations are encouraged to contact the PNGOC should they require any clarification on Pacific Games matters.

(Loop filepic)

 

Author: 
Press release