Team PNG

The ‘two million tree-planting program’ is part of the Samoa Pacific Games theme of ‘Greening the Games’, and Team PNG was the first country to respond to the call for the initiative on July 6^th.

Team PNG athletes were led by Team PNG athlete reps, Lua Rikis and Milton Kisapai, who are also SDG champions for Papua New Guinea.

It is the aim of the 2019 Samoa Pacific Games to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by planting 200 trees for each country that participates at this Games.

Chef de Mission, Emma Waiwai, says these athletes are primed, fit and ready to battle it out with the best of the best.

“Four years have seen our athletes sacrifice their comfort zones and their family time to prepare for these games,” Waiwai said at the Team PNG farewell function yesterday evening in Port Moresby.

“Each athlete going is the best for each sport.

The last time this Golf Challenge was held in Lae was in 2015 and organisers, the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, is looking forward to seeing the fierce but friendly rivalry on the Lae greens again.

Secretary General of the PNG Olympic Committee, Auvita Rapilla, said Lae had always supported the PM’s Corporate Golf Challenge through their participation and they are pleased to take the event there again.

The athletes come from the sports of karate, volleyball, basketball and football, and are studying under a scholarship in IBS’ certificate program.

Secretary General of the PNG Olympic Committee, Auvita Rapilla, thanked IBS for providing this opportunity which greatly boosts the athletes’ chances of getting a job and securing their future in a professional career.

She also commended the athletes for taking the initiative to pursue an education and also thanked their sports for supporting them.

Team PNG’s 2019 Chef de Mission says their aim is to finish at the number one spot.

Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic movement, hence the PNG Olympic Committee aims to ensure that they perform at their best.

Chef de Mission for Team PNG to Samoa 2019, Emma Waiwai, stressed that everything they do is for PNG’s athletes.

“Because on the day, we can shout and scream and do everything but it’s you that’s going to win the medal for us,” Waiwai told members of Team PNG during a media blitz on Friday.

The 100 days to go mark fell on Friday, March 29^th, and Team PNG embarked on the initiative to leave a legacy and support the message of protecting the coastlines as well as looking after the environment.

The trees were donated by the National Forest Authority and were planted yesterday at Gabagaba village in Central Province.

Chef de Mission for Team PNG to Samoa 2019, Emma Waiwai, presented the seedlings to the Councilor of Gabagaba village, Donald Agarobe during Team PNG’s Media Blitz press conference in Port Moresby.

PNG Olympic Committee Male Vice-President and Chairman of the Justification Committee, Michael Henao, said being a coach for Team PNG and our nation’s elite athletes is a significant privilege and responsibility.

And as chairman of the Justification Committee, he reminded those present of the upcoming JC deadline for the submission of their final squads.

The Justification Committee was set up to ensure that fair and proper processes were followed by teams to select their squads to represent Team PNG.

It was the 4 by 100 metre freestyle races that got the crowd roaring towards the end of the final heats for their respective teams.

Team PNG did well in the 4x100 freestyle relay; it was the men’s race that was every bit a nail-biting experience.

Team PNG’s Sam Seghers opened the race for the lads, maintaining speed with Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.

Next in the pool was 18-year-old Josh Tarere, who put up a good challenge against Samoa’s Sitivi Sooaemalelagi, and one of Fiji’s strongest swimmers, 18-year-old Taichi Vakasama.

This was what they had to say.

Rachel Sapery James (Triathlon): “For me it was unfinished business from 2014. I had to work really hard and made history becoming the first Papua New Guinean and Pacific Island female to compete and complete an elite international level triathlon race. I’m pretty proud of myself and it was an honour to represent PNG. I think Team PNG did an amazing job this year.”

Speaking at the official welcome for Team PNG last night at the Gold Club, Wardley thanked the athletes and officials for giving it their best over the two weeks on the world stage.

She said PNG, like other competing nations and territories, had their fair share of achievements and disappointments.

“We had some fantastic wins, some great personal achievements with national records, seasonal bests and personal bests.

“We also suffered our share of disappointments and losses.