Athletics PNG

Athletes prep for training

After the recent PNGAIR National Athletics championships in Port Moresby, President Tony Green revealed a number of young talents from the junior development teams identified.

They will be added to their development-training program for the next Year’s World Youth championships.

On the current PNG Elite squad, Green said for the middle and long distance athletes there is quite a hectic training program scheduled for the next couple of months that is important for the upcoming world cross country championships and next year’s Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. 

PNG Air renews Naming Rights Sponsorship

It is also the official airline carrier of Athletics PNG and provide flights and logistical support for athletes and officials to important local track and field competitions.

Through Athletics PNG's regularly scheduled competitions and meets, new and promising talents have been identified and pushed into elite training and representation, following in the likes of Pacific Sprint Queen Toea Wisil and others.

Relay Team Sets New Records

Despite finishing sixth in their heat, the time was still good enough surpassing the 45.85 recorded at the recent 2022 Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.

In other results from Day 9 of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Feanor Siaguru and Madako Suari Jnr proved too strong for Guyana’s Shomari Wiltshire and Jason-Ray Khalil, with a 2-0 win in the Plate Quarter-Final of the squash Men’s Doubles.

The closing ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place tomorrow night, August 8.

Athletics Announce Team For Games

However, Athletics PNG held off making any formal announcement of the team to ensure that only those athletes who were fit and ready to compete at the Games would be included in the final team.

The team includes 10 male and eight female athletes, 17 of whom who were nominated last year by the PNG Olympic Committee and endorsed by the Justification Committee.

President Tony Green said that the US based athletes selected were advised earlier this year for obvious reasons, as this had implications for their movements after the Mini Games in Saipan.

Athletics Set For Pacific Mini Games

The team of 24 male and 14 female athletes will head to Saipan in three groups this weekend from Port Moresby, Brisbane and Los Angeles.

Thirteen US-based athletes and coach, Nelson Stone will fly to Saipan via Honolulu and Guam, with some stopping over in Los Angeles this weekend for a final lead up competition.

Pacific Mini Games Team Named

Two managers and six coaches will also accompany the team to Saipan.

The team includes Pacific sprint queen Toea Wisil and Tokyo Olympian, Rellie Kaputin, with sprinters Leroy Kamau and Daniel Baul expected to lead the men’s team.

President Tony Green said the team will be looking for a strong showing at the Games as a result of the programmes that have been in place through the last two years.

Athletes selected for mini games

This follows the successful staging of the PNG Air National Championships in Kimbe in December and the grand prix competitions in Port Moresby and Kimbe.

This early selection has been necessitated due to limited major competition opportunities during the first quarter of 2022 and final nominations being due in April 2022. 

Headed up by Olympian Rellie Kaputin, 19 male and 14 female athletes are being nominated to the PNG Olympic Committee for inclusion in this first round.

Male athletes

Impressive performances in APNG champs

The standout athlete for the men was Daniel Baul, who ran a blistering 47.1 seconds in his heat of the 400m. It was the equal second fastest hand-held time by any PNG athlete - joining Subul Babo and Baobo Duaba-Neuendorf on the All Time Best List.

Baul followed up this superb performance with a time of 47.5sec in the final. Crossing the line shortly after Baul were Adolf Kauba (48.6), Jobbie Kinzu (49.2) and Jonah Theo (49.4).

With a strong showing at home, and in the US, the PNG men’s 400m relay team looks to be in good shape for Saipan next year.

Plans to stage athletics events

This follows the receipt of approval from the Provincial Administration in Kimbe.

Sports director, Conrad Golumu, is now liaising with Athletics PNG for the conduct of the event through the venue management team led by Nolene Pidik.

Athletes resume serious training

After 18 months back home in PNG since graduating from Lubbock Christian University, Gahekave has returned to the United States where she can properly focus on her training in an environment that is more conducive to the attainment of sporting success. 

With the cross country season in the USA being held from August to November, this presents the 2019 Pacific Games triple gold medallist with a great opportunity to get an excellent preparation for the February 2022 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, NSW.