The PNG Games will proceed on the rescheduled dates next year despite opposition from the business community in West New Britain.
Minister for Sports, National Events and APEC tells Loop PNG says the dates can’t be changed due to the election next year.
“We can’t change the times because we are looking at the school holidays, were also looking at the elections in April, where the writs are issued, so we have to balance all these things out before the elections.
“So the PNG games will stay as the date recommended by the PNG Games Council. Simple! Said Tkatchenko.
Following the announcement of the deferral of the PNG Games from November 2016 to march 2017, The West New Britain Chamber of Commerce and industry (WNBCCI) called for a deferral of the games.
President, Ian O’Hanlon, told Loop PNG that the Host Organizing Committee was urged to consider deferring the games as it would held during the wettest month of the year.
“Concerns were raised at this meeting about the new timing of the Games in the month of March which, based on historical data from New Britain Oil Palm, is one of our wettest months of the year,” he said.
O’Hanlon further said “The Chamber has stressed that this National Event would give West New Britain its turn to shine and it would be embarrassing for us to host the Games during our wet season.
Tkatchenko however said “with rain. hail, or shine, the games are on in March.