GG empowers Team PNG

“Asasumba” was the expression that echoed loudly over the Athletes Village on Tuesday by Team PNG during their Flag Raising ceremony for the Commonwealth Games.

Meaning “Never Say Die” or “Never Give Up,” from one of the main dialects in the Morobe province, it was the main message to Team PNG from the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Bob Dadae.

Sir Bob encouraged athletes to be confident in themselves and not be intimidated by other athletes or teams from other countries.

“Be confident. Believe in yourself. Focus on what you came here to do,” he said.

“I believe in you. You can break records and win medals. Some of you have done this before while it is the first time for others. You are all champions in your own right,” Sir Bob said.

He said this is the critical time when the basic things like sleeping on time and eating properly need to be done right.

Sir Bob pointed out that Australia is like home to a lot of Papua New Guineans who travel there regularly.

A number of PNG athletes have also been based there and nearby in Brisbane for their training and preparations for the Commonwealth Games. So the atmosphere should not be completely new to them.

Sir Bob joined the Team for the official Flag Raising ceremony in the athletes’ village and also visited their office and accommodation areas.

He was impressed with the facilities and encouraged the team to enjoy the experience but also focus on their tasks.

Team PNG Chef de Mission, Tamzin Wardley welcomed Sir Bob saying that it was a special honour for the team who had never had a Governor General visit them at the Village before.

The Flag Raising ceremony is the tradition of the Games that welcomes a country into the Village and signals their presence in the Games.

This year’s ceremony featured a performance by the indigenous Australian group who are the traditional landowners of the land where the city of Gold Coast is built on.

Almost all members of Team PNG are now in the Village.

The Opening Ceremony will be held tonight.

 

For more updates on the team check the PNGOC team page:

http://www.pngolympic.org

Author: 
Press Release