Elanga Buala

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology & Sports, Wesley Raminai, released a statement paying tribute to these great men and woman, adding that each of them has touched the lives of thousands of Papua New Guineans in their respective disciplines over the years.

The most recent passing was that of rugby union coach Douglas Guise on January 14^th, 2021.

Along with Iammo Launa and Barbara Ingiro-Sapea, Buala was, in 1984, one of the first women to represent PNG at the Olympic Games.

From a beginning in volleyball, Buala made the transition to athletics in 1981 when she won the Open Women’s 100m title at the National Championships in Mt Hagen. Overall, she won seven national titles: 100m (1981 & 1982), 200m (1982 & 1983) and the 400m (1982, 1983 & 1984), and won a total of 13 national championship medals in her career at the top.