Queen’s Baton Relay to reach PNG

The Queen’s Baton will be in PNG from December 1-5. The Baton will transit straight through to Kimbe, West New Britain Province, to prepare for the closing ceremony of the PNG Games on December 2.

Prior to making its appearance at the closing ceremony, the Baton will pay a visit to iconic sights of Kimbe town, including the New Britain Palm Oil Plantation. It will then make its way to Kimbe town where Baton bearers will take it through the streets of Kimbe town towards the Sasi Muthuvel Stadium.

The Baton will leave Kimbe to return to Port Moresby, where it will be taking part in several events, including a business breakfast, school sports events as well as an event hosted by the Australian High Commission.

The visit of the Baton to PNG will culminate with the Governor General hosting a sunset reception for the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay on the evening of December 4.

PNG is the 65th of its 71 Commonwealth destinations.

PNG Commonwealth Games Association president, Sir John Dawanincura, said they are delighted PNG has been granted the honour of hosting the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay.

“Hosting the Queen’s Baton Relay is not only an exciting event for PNG, the relay is an opportunity to highlight and promote our country through international media interest.”

Secretary General of the PNGCGA, Auvita Rapilla, said preparations are almost complete to celebrate the arrival of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay.

“We look forward to seeing the Baton arrive on PNG shores and having it visit Kimbe for the closing ceremony of the PNG Games, allowing our athletes from across the country be a part of this fantastic occasion.”

The Queen’s Baton Relay is the traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and has been an integral part of the Games program since the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales.

The relay began at Buckingham Palace on 13 March 2017, with Her Majesty The Queen sending the Baton on its journey around the Commonwealth.

(File pic)