Baru happy about experience

Morea Baru with his fiancée Kaia Gari and his niece during his arrival on Friday afternoon

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Morea Baru may not be a medalist for Papua New Guinea but he has been a hard worker to deserve the rank of number one in the Male 62kg category in the Commonwealth.

Despite missing his last attempts in both the snatch and the clean and jerk, Morea had already done enough to secure the sixth place with a total of 290kg (126kg snatch and 164kg clean and jerk.) The total now ranks Baru number one in his weight category in the Commonwealth.

Baru arrived to a rousing welcome from his family at the Jacksons international airport on Friday, Baru the soft spoken weight lifter now looks forward to marriage and rest before training for the next competition the Commonwealth games in 2018 in the Gold Coast.

“I will be getting married next month, and than spend some time with my family before returning to New Caledonia to train for the 2018 Commonwealth games in Gold Coast Australia”

He said his experience was amazing especially for him being a first time Olympian and he very well looks forward to the next Olympics.

“The experience was amazing first Olympics for me there were different cultures together in one place and representing my country was the best feeling”

He said despite not wining a medal he said his hard work had paid off finishing 6^th in the highest of competitions he was ranked top 10 in the world in his weight category and finishing 6^th was an achievement itself.

“Getting into the top 10 is not easy and getting to be 6th in the Olympics not easy as well, unfortunately I didn’t get a medal but to put the country in 6th position is a great achievement great experience I want to make it to Tokyo 2020 and I am looking forward to that”.

“To my fellow lifters to be an Olympian is to train hard and the challenges of representing your country is very high I would like to thank the Government and sponsors for their support Trukai Industries the weight Lifting sponsor and Sir Sir John Dawanincura and my two coaches Paul and Lilly Kofa in New Caledonia for training me for 3 years to get to this level”

Morea is the first from the Team PNG delegation to return. The rest of the team will follow in the coming week.

Tehteh out for season

Thompson Teteh being tackled

With two more games remaining in the Intrust Super Cup in Queensland Australia the Papua New Guinea team The SP PNG Hunters have lost their  Dynamic centre Thompson Teteh to a season ending injury.

With eight minutes to go in last week Saturday’s 24 to 20 loss to Townsville Blackhawks, Teteh suffered a season ending injury after collecting a knee from Blackhawks half back Michael Parker-Welsh in a tackle.

Teteh remained on the field and completed the game. He saw a doctor at full time who immediately took him to Townsville Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

PNG Rugby League Chief Executive Officer Bob Cutmore said Teteh was in a stable condition last night (Sunday night) and after a medical review was released from hospital this (Monday) morning.

“Thompson was in a lot of pain and went through an operation which finished at 4.30am early on Sunday morning. The operation was successful and we are hopeful Teteh will return to Port Moresby on Wednesday,” Cutmore said.

Assistant coach Nigel Hukula remained in Townsville to be with Teteh while the rest of the team including coach Michael Marum returned to Port Moresby yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.

A concerned Marum visited Teteh in hospital before leaving Townsville by coach for Cairns to catch the Port Moresby bound flight said the care and attention given to Teteh by the hospital staff was first class.

“The operation was successful and a big thank you to the Townsville hospital staff,” Marum said. “I have reviewed the video footage of the incident and it looks very nasty with the knee going straight into the groin area.”

Marum said Teteh’s family have been informed and all care and attention will be given to Thompson during his recovery.

“Thompson has been in dynamic form lately and this season ending injury will be a big loss for us as we head into the last two games and the finals series. We will give him every support and wish him speedy recovery,” Marum said.

Source; Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) 

Kenyans scold Olympic committee after Jebet wins gold for Bahrain

Ruth Jebet after winning the Gold for the Womens 3000m Steeplechase for Bahrain 

Aug. 15, 2016, 6:00 pm By PATRICK VIDIJA @vidijapatrick

Kenyans on social media expressed mixed reactions after Ruth Jebet won the gold medal for Bahrain in the 3,000m steeplechase on Monday

While some expressed their joy that Jebet maintained her title, others scolded Kenya's National Olympics committee for failing to sufficiently support for local athletes.

The committee was accused of paying athletes peanuts, which leads to their loss to countries offering more money.

A reaction from Lola Hoka read: “People go where they are appreciated. Kenyans running for Bahrain probably had had enough of mishandling of athletes by Olympics committee each time the games are on. More could follow if nothing is done. Money is a factor too but it's about time athletes were treated better here”.

Moris Mbogo on his Twitter handle expressed shock that Kenyan athletes get Sh1 million after an Olympic gold medal win while same Kenyan gets Sh52 million by running for Bahrain.

Ogoa Ondego said “As Ruth Jebet wins Olympic 3000m Steeplechase Gold medal in #Rio2016, the world should know Blood (Kenya) is thicker than water."

Some even went on to proposition Bahrain to 'return' Jebet.

“I got a Deal for Bahrain, How about trading back our One Ruth Jebet with 4 governors and 16MPs?” read a tweet from Lernie.

Jebet aslmost broke the World Record winning the race with a 30 meter gap
ahead of the Silver and Bronze Medalists

Shicks Davida said “Ruth Jebet congratulations to u. It Breaks Our Hearts to know our Girl Won Gold for Bahrain you remains Kenyan."

“Julius Yego was offered 1 billion bob to go to Bahrain to represent them in 2016-he refused and chose to be patriotic”.

Moses Nderitu said Kenyan athletes should not think twice when golden opportunities like Jebet’s come knocking.

Boniface Mwangi said: “Now let's listen to Ruth Jebet sing Bahrain national anthem”.

“Kenyan officials had no IDEA that Ruth Jebet had in fact changed allegiance. Woke up to find her in Bahrain Jersey two years ago,” read another tweet.

Although Jebet blew away the competition to win the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase on Monday, she narrowly missed out on the world record.

The 19-year-old took the lead after just a few laps and set a blistering pace, winning in eight minutes 59.75 seconds.

Jebet draped with the Bahrain flag and her first ever Gold Medal
for the nation.

She was milliseconds shy of the 8:58.81 world record set by Russia's Gulnara Samitova-Galkina at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Galkina and Jebet, who was the world junior champion, are the only two women to have run a sub-nine minute time.

Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi, who won the world title in Beijing last year, was almost 50 metres behind in second place.

American Emma Coburn won United States' first ever medal in Monday's steeplechase, as she grabbed bronze and a new national record.

Source: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/08/15/kenyans-scold-olympic-committee-after-jebet-wins-gold-for-bahrain_c1404231

If You're A Small, Rich Country, You Can Buy An Olympic Medal

By Patrick Redford

Kenyan Native Ruth Jebet now running for Bahrain

After Ruth Jebet won the 3000-meter steeplechase yesterday, she stood on the top step above fellow Kenya native Hyvin Jepkemoi, received her gold medal from another Kenyan, Paul Tergat, then turned to watch the Bahraini flag ascend to the top of the flagpole. The 19-year-old Jebet was born in Kenya, but she began running internationally for Bahrain in 2013. She earned the tiny gulf nation’s first gold medal the same day that Eunice Kirwa, another runner from Kenya, won them their first silver. Bahrain has a total of three Olympic medals, all earned by East African runners who switched their nationalities to compete for Bahrain.


Athletes competing for nations has been around as long as Games themselves. Even in the ancient Olympics, athletes would occasionally compete for rival city-states. All the modern Olympic Charter requires is that an athlete be a citizen of their new nation, and that they haven’t competed for their old nation for three years (the second requirement can be waived). There are plenty of legitimate reasons why athletes choose to compete for other countries. For example, if you’re a swimmer with Canadian heritage, but you can’t make Team USA, swimming for Canada might be the only way to get to the Olympics. But neither Jebet nor Kirwa have any Bahraini heritage, and they almost certainly switched over because they were paid handsomely.

In 2003, Qatar bought the services of two Kenyan runners, with each runner saying in return they were promised $1,000 a month, even after they retired. Qatar also bought themselves a team of Bulgarian weightlifters and their 2016 team features runners from Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, and Morocco. The Bahraini team has six Ethiopian-born runners, six Kenyan-born runners, thee Nigerians, and no native Bahrainis. Azerbaijan also has a team full of naturalized athletes. Small, oil-rich nations aren’t the only ones to do this, as the United States has a history of rushing prominent Olympians onto their teams as well. Often, athletes cite dysfunction and lack of support from their homelands’ athletics federations. But given Qatar and Bahrain’s habits of paying up for athletes’ allegiances, it’s more likely that Jebet and others are shipping across the Red Sea to collect massive sums of money. Saif Saeed Shaheen, a Kenyan runner who moved to Qatar, said as much to the Guardianin 2003: “Yes, I have moved for the money.”

As Rogge also pointed out, the current rules make it incredibly easy to buy Olympic athletes, and there’s nothing the IOC can do to stop it unless they change the rules—opening itself up to a discussion of why an organization itself with a history pay for play is suddenly so concerned about someone else also offering their services to the highest bidder.

For athletes who either can’t make their home country’s Olympic teams or who need the payday, moving to another team seems like a no-brainer. They get paid and they get to compete in the Olympics. It’s hard to get incensed at Bahrain or Qatar when the IOC’s rules regarding transfers are laughably lax. Because of the ineptitude and endemic corruption of federations like Athletics Kenya, as well as the difficulties Olympic athletes (particularly female athletes) have getting paid, the athletes are unquestionably better off for switching over.

If anything, the success of Jebet and other imported athletes is a reminder that the Olympics are, really, about making money. Seeing how much interest (and dollars) pro athletes drew was what helped break down the ridiculous amateurism rules. Making money is right there in the huge financial demandsthe Olympics makes from bid cities. The ideal of winning a medal for your country out of pure national pride is, for the Olympics, a marketing tool. That isn’t to take away from the pride felt by every competitor at the Olympics. But for whom should they feel that pride will, for now, remain up to them and whichever country they think offers them the most—cash and all.

source: http://deadspin.com/if-youre-a-small-rich-country-you-can-buy-an-olympic-1785302021

Athletes did their Best for Papua New Guinea

Toea Wisil during her 100m qualifying race in Rio

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Toea Wisil Papua New Guinea and South Pacific Sprint Queen lined up with the worlds best sprinters yesterday at 12:22pm PNG time in Round One of the Womens 100m at the Olympic Games in Rio.

She came in confident to put on a personal best performance but couldn’t beat her much faster opponents in the sprint event.

She did well to get this far but didn’t qualify for the final heats, the pacific sprint queen ran a time of 11.48s to come in fourth place in her heat she came behind Elaine Thompson of Jamaica who ran 11.21s to finish first, coming in second was Brazilian Rosângela Santos who ran 11.25s and in third was Semoy Hackett from Trinidad and Tobago who ran a time of 11.35s.

 Wisil, who ran an Olympic qualifying time of 11.29 seconds in Fiji last month couldn’t make a better time than her qualification time.

Wisil taking a pose for the camerra

There are 8 heats in all for Round 1 and Toea ran in the 7th heat. Toea did not need to run in the preliminary round as she ran a qualifying time to make the Rio Olympics.

Only the top 2 finishers from each of the 8 heats plus the next 8 fastest racers advance to the semi-finals.

Toea finished 33rd in the overall, when ranked from the fastest to the slowest times in all eight heats.

Teams PNG has not won any medals as yet at the Olympics but have showed there determination and competitive spirit at the games.

One athlete that stood out was young Thadius Katua who at his age of 19 is certain to continue on and represent the country in international events to come one of the youngest boxers in the Rio Olympics Katua took on experienced Russian Adlan Abdurashidov .

A vocal Brazillian crowd cheered on Katua as he looked to cause an upset for the Russain but, Abdurashidov kept his cool and kept katua at bay with his reach, Katua showed heart with not much separating both boxers in all three rounds with Abdurashidov winning  all three rounds 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.

Thadius Katu during his fight with Russian Adlan Abdurashhidov

But the crowd, his coaches and Katua though they had the win, in a press release by PNG Olympic committee Katua and his coaches knew the young Carteret Islander had won.

Something that was not missed by, assistant Coach Joe Aufa, “the crowd are also judges, they watched the fight and they knew that Katua won. We all know Katua won.”

Katua bitterly disappointed after his bout believing he had done enough to claim victory, “Mi blip oilsem mi winim dispela pait.”

Morea Baru during his Lift

Coach Allan Nicolson also felt Katua had done enough to progress to the next round. “It is disappointing as over the full duration we felt Katua had dominated his opponent for a majority of the fight.”

“Katua was able to display his immense talent. It shouldn’t be forgotten that he is only 19 year’s old and he was taking on an experienced Russian fighter 7 year’s his elder.”

Rio 2016 is Katua’s first Olympics but this boxer with a bright future will no doubt be gracing the Olympic stage once again and when Tokyo 2020 comes along his opponents will be weary of coming up against him.

Weight lifter Morea Baru is the only weightlifter from the Commonwealth to be competing in the more elite A category of his weight division at the Rio Olympics.

And was “really excited” to be performing against the best in the world, Baru seemed to feed off the positive environment and said he felt as if he was “firing and enjoying” his lifts.  The Pacific Games gold medallist, showed he was ready to step up to the ultimate stage.

Raymond Ovinou during his match

In a statement by the PNG Olympic Committee Baru said he felt he had done his best, Baru said “I just wanted to do my best and make my family and country happy.” Baru’s 6th placed finish matches the best performance by a Team PNG athlete at the Olympics as Dika Toua had also finished 6th at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Veteran Raymond Ovinou was the first Athlete to compete in the Judo, under 66KG Male category lost but through an Ippon with Uchi-mata, a move which carried out by his opponent saw him declared the winner.

.

Still to take part Aunty and Nephew
Samantha and Maxemillion Kassman during their
Taekwando training 

PNG still has three athletes to take part in their events with Theo Pinau scheduled to take part in the Athletics 200m heats on Wednesday 17^th August. Maxemillion Kassman Taekwondo Will be taking part in the Men’s 68Kg on Thursday August 18 and Samantha Kassman will be taking part in the womens over 67kg Taekwondo on Saturday 20 August.

Pini happy about representing PNG

Ryan Pini as the flag Barer for Team PNG at the Opening Ceremony of the Rio Olympics This is his final Olympic appearance for PNG 

Ryan Pini was hoping to push himself hard in his pet event the 100m butterfly but could only manage a time of 53.24s outside of his qualifying time of 52.86s.

Despite his result he is proud to have represented Papua New Guinea since 2004 in the Olympics, one of his greatest achievements was swimming in the finals in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

In an interview after the race The 35 year old said it would have been much better to have more races before a final but that didn’t eventuate.

“I was hoping to push myself a bit harder and swim a faster time in order to reach the semi's” “It would have been better to have a couple more races prior to doing the 100m butterfly to allow me to get comfortable with the pre-race set-up and the racing environment but unfortunately this wasn’t the case” “I’m grateful to my team PNG teammates who were able to come out and support and me and for all the people in PNG that woke up to watch the race."

Ryan Pini looking up at the clock to check his time
at his 100m butterfly at Rio this week.

“The Rio Games have been great for swimming. The pool layout in is nice, especially with bringing the Oceania swimmers together” “It was amazing to carry the PNG flag at the Opening Ceremony, a special moment which I will cherish"

Ryan said a lot has changed over the past Olympics since he first represented PNG in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

“Athletes are more comfortable with each other and more sociable”; “Influence of Social Media has made such a big difference on a variety of levels”; “Athletes having more sway on things and demanding more”

He added that he was proud of his achievement to represent PNG in the Olympics and has grown use to the competition.

Pini during the 100m butterfly at Rio

It felt amazing to compete in my fourth Olympics. With my first Olympics in 2004 in Athens I was so excited to be at the Olympics that I remember taking photos with the Olympic Rings whenever I cam across them. Now in my fourth Games I’m happy to say I’ve grown used to seeing the rings and its easier for me tor remained focused on my training and competition.” 

"I love representing my country and to be able to do it four times at the highest level of sporting competition is something very special."

 Ryan is also one of 24 candidates up for the IOC Athletes Commission elections during the Rio Olympics. Athletes from all countries are allowed to vote for 4 candidates. The top 4 vote getters will be announced at the Closing Ceremony and will take of positions within the IOC’s Athletes Commission.

Kumuls needs high level players

(From left) PNGRFL Media and PR Manager Ephata Samuel, PNG LNG Kumul Coach Michael Marum, PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka and PNG LNG Kumul Captain David Mead with the Rugby League World Cup at the announcement of 2017 RLWC Draws in Brisbane last month.

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Michael Marum as PNG LNG Kumuls coach has said that he will be looking at players in the higher competitions of Rugby League around the world.

He said this at an interview after his appointment as the Papua New Guinea Kumuls coach for the Rugby Leauge World Cup in 2017.

He added that the pool of players he was looking at was at the local level and the international level as well.

“We want to get the best players for the world cup and for future games, players with form in the NRL Super League, NSW Cup and QLD Cup” Marum said.

When asked about the players in England Marum said they would be considered but their competitions were not up to standard like the players that made the Kumuls team against Fiji and won.

“Yeah we got players in England the lower competitions Diyon Aiye, Jessie Joe, Israel Eliab and Makali Aizue again we looking at best players playing in top competitions”

“We won the game against Fiji because we had boys competing at the highest level and they knew each other well but it depends on the selectors but I will be pushing for players in the higher competitions”

He said his first order of business with the help of the PNGRFL Board was to start scouting for players for next year and getting his coaching staff together.

“We are not only looking to next year but players this year as well towards next year, we want to see players in camp I think for me is to get back to the coaching staff to see if we can work out our schedules that work with the selectors and others.

“We want to keep all the former kumuls who helped in the coaching staff, during the test match against Fiji and they have put their hands up again to help in the next two years.” Marum said

He added that a mix of youth and experience was certain and lead up matches would be a good way to get players working together.

“We want to work with our young players the experienced players are good there are still players that will be coming through next year to the hunter’s program as well, again it will be up to the selectors.

“We need lead up matches invitations will be sent to other countries so we can play to get some trial matches before the World Cup.

“We are in a good pool and we want to make it count and if we play well make the quarter finals with Australia, England or New Zealand our focus is to start well,”. He added

Rapilla becomes IOC member

Rapilla standing next to the IOC President, Thomas Bach and other members of the IOC after the session last week.PHOTO: IOC Media.

A significant milestone for PNG sport has occurred with the appointment of Secretary General of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, Mrs. Auvita Rapilla as a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

She is among eight new members elected at the 129^th IOC session that was held on August 4, a day before the

opening ceremony of the Rio Games. The other members are Nita Ambani (IND); Sari Essayah (FIN); Ivo Ferriani (ITA); Luis Moreno (COL); Anant Singh (RSA); Tricia Smith (CAN); and Karl Stoss (AUT).

The IOC said the newly-elected Members represent a cross-section of expertise covering sport, culture, medicine, sociology, business, law and management. Gender equality is guaranteed with four women and four men on the list.

Members of the IOC represent and promote the interests of the IOC and of the Olympic Movement in their countries and in the organizations of the Olympic Movement in which they serve. They are also responsible for voting on the key decisions related to the Olympics including which cities win the right to host the Olympic Games and which sports are on the program for the Olympics.

The election took place on the last day of the IOC session which was held in Rio de Janeiro in lead-up to the Rio Olympics. Earlier in the session, the IOC Members had approved the five new sports to be part of the program of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Rapilla said her inclusion as one of the 115 IOC Members reflects the hard work of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee and its members, stakeholders and partners.

“The experience is overwhelming and truly humbling. I would not have come this far without the support of all those involved with sport in PNG and the Oceania whom I have benefited from working with … for this I am truly grateful.” Rapilla said.

She said the aim of PNGOC’s new strategic direction is to be the best performing National Olympic Committee in the Pacific region and to be appointed as an IOC Member is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the organization as a whole.

Rapilla’s appointment to the IOC is the first for Papua New Guinea since it gained Olympic status in 1974.

The appointment is a highlight of Rapilla’s career who also sits on various regional and international committees and boards. These include being an Executive Committee Member of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), Board Member of the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and Board Member of the 2015 Pacific Games Authority among others.

Apart from her role as a leader in sports administration, Rapilla is also actively involved in community awareness involving women’s issues, health and environment.

Rapilla holds a Masters in Sport Organization Management (MEMOS) and a Degree in Public Administration.

Her main love however, is sport and she has served it undeterred since joining the PNG Olympic Committee in 1994. Rapilla comes from a family that has a history in sport which also includes her husband, Billy, who is a former captain and coach of the Papua New Guinea national rugby union team.

One man who has watched her grow in the industry is current president of PNGOC, Sir John Dawanincura. He said Rapilla’s achievements in her various roles is a reflection of her dedication and commitment to her work.

Rapilla acknowledged and thanked Sir John for his guidance and mentorship over the years.

Rapilla will bring with her to the IOC 22 years of experience in the PNG Olympic Committee through her involvement with various partners and stakeholders regionally and internationally.

“My passion for sport and commitment to the work of the Olympic movement and promoting its ideals continues to grow with dedication and resolve. I believe that my experiences, knowledge and qualifications will allow me to distinctively and constructively contribute to the movement at this level,” Rapilla said in her application for the IOC position.

Messages of congratulations have flowed in for Rapilla from around the Oceania region and from others involved in the global sports movement.

Source: PNG Olympic Committee 

Chung appeals to stakeholders

OCEANIA Football Confederation (OFC) and Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) president David Chung

OCEANIA Football Confederation (OFC) and Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) president David Chung has appealed to all stakeholders to assist the local organising committee (LOC) to prepare for the FIFA World Cup by not putting up excessive bills.

Chung said: “I appeal to every stakeholder involved in the preparation of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to assist the Local Organising Committee (LOC) so we can fast track the preparations.

“Let us work together to achieve a common good for a greater purpose and the country as a whole.

“The World Cup preparation is ongoing and the LOC is facing many challenges,” he added.

The challenges are:

• Co-operation from certain key government departments are slow or none at all
•  Infrastructure development is also slow in coming to shape due to lots of obstacles
•  Private sectors and even NGO organizations are charging high exorbitant fees and the LOC is facing challenges with financial obligation to fulfill them

“I must clarify that FIFA is responsible only for the national team and the officials’ expenses.

“We the LOC are responsible for the operational costs which is a mammoth task.

“Our operational cost alone is K20 million…FIFA will only assists us with K10 million,” Chung said.

“FIFA is assisting in paying all teams and officials only, the rest of the expense is ours to deal with,” he added.

Chung said companies or government departments should not think or believe that FIFA is paying all the expenses to make extra money out of the LOC.

“Even some private hospitals want full payment and wanted bookings like hotels do to guarantee a place.

“We appeal to all Papua New Guineans, Government Departments and other stakeholders including the public sector and NGOs to assist fairly,” he added.

“For those few Government Departments who have assisted so far we are thankful of their continuous support,” he said.

Chung clarified that the O’Neill Government has approved this world event and is supported and gazetted by NEC.

“The country has a lot to gain from this World Cup in the long term.

“We urge all sectors of the community to support and especially Papua New Guineans to take pride that this World Cup is on our home soil and to support it. 

“This World Cup will put PNG on the map. The country will benefit both economically and socially,” he added.

Starting spots in Hunters not guaranteed.

Left Butler Morris and Justin Olam of the SP PNG Hunters looking to tackle a player from the
Burleigh Bears

By FIDELIS SUKINA

There are only two games remaining for the season in the Queensland In trust super cup before the finals and spots in the SP PNG Hunters are still up for grabs.

Papua New Guineas national team taking part in the second tier competition in Australia have had injury concerns with some of their players being sidelined through injury.

But their return may not ensure them a space in the final 17 only if they work hard and fight hard to retain their positions.

SP PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum said in an interview that some of the players in the Hunters camp are coming off injury and slowly recovering but that does not guarantee them a spot in the 17 for the last two remaining games.

“We have players coming off injury like Stargroth Amean coming back from injury, but we also have Bland Abavu who is playing well at fullback Stargroth can play and he knows it will be tough to get back his spot, as Bland has been playing well”

“We basically have most of our boys ready to play and now competing for spots in the 17 we have had some tough games and players like Ase Boas are being closely monitored if we need to rest him if he gets injury than we have to rest him before the finals we have players like Ate on off the bench to play the last two games before the finals,”.

Marum said consistency was important from all the players, he mentioned that some players were having good form but not keeping it consistent week in week out.

“We need players to be consistent and performing at the highest level, we have players who are performing well on one weekend and dropping on the next they just have to keep their consistency”

The Hunters take on the Northern Pride at Barlow Park next week Sunday and host the Falcons at home in round 25 on August 28^th for the final home game. 

PNG Women have potential to ref Rugby Leauge Matches

Richard Johnson (Fourth from left) with some of the referees that took part in the three day training

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Women can be referees in rugby league if they have the passion and know how for the game says NRL and International Rugby League Referee coach Richard Johnson.

Papua New Guinea is a country that loves the sport of Rugby League and to see women refereeing the game would be good.  

Johnson was  in Port Moresby to take 9 male Digicel Cup referees through a three day intensive course on beginning on Thursday at the National Football stadium, before they start refereeing the Digicel Cup finals.

He added that females could referee in Papua New Guinea, and he is sure there are women out there that have the passion and know the game that can referee at men’s games.

He gave an example of Belinda Sleeman who is currently running the lines in the National Rugby League (NRL) which is the elite competition of Rugby League in Australia , the Queensland Cup level, and the U20’s she was on of his students.

“Belinda Sleeman is a young lady I coached in Rock Hampton and now she is the number one female in the NRL she refs the Queensland Cup and the Under 20’s,” Johnson said.

He added as well that Mae Koime former PNG sprinter was working with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) on a project that will help women involvement in Rugby League and that could help in training women referees.

“Mae Koime is a delightful smart lady who is putting together a strategic plan to encompass the involvement of Women in Rugby League.

“We need to see females to ref games and start to teach them at the school levels, Belinda Sleeman took 10 years to get to her current level and there are some women who know the game and have the passion to become very good referees.

“It’s marvelous the attitude that the players get when they have female referees not a lot of swearing and a lot of arguing they know who the boss is,” Johnson said.

He said he will be in PNG a lot more next year to train the coaches and the referee’s as well.

“The focus is on 2017 the Papua New Guinea semi-professional rugby league competition the Digicel Cup and Bob Cutmore PNGRFL CEO, have approved my program for 2017 and I will be up here a lot more next year starting February and going around coaching the refs and the coaches.

“The coaches can make or break the players and stir up the crowds because they think they know the rules the NRL referees I took them to Level 4 training in Australia, we want to make sure the coaches are smarter on law and respect the decisions by referees,” Johnson said.

Maintenance Seminar hosted by FIFA in PNG

FIFA’s Football Turf and Natural Grass Consultant, Mark Jennings-Temple with the participants talking about turf maintenance to the participants (Picture by U20 World Cup Local Organizing Committee)

Having football facilities is one thing but ensuring that they are well kept and maintained for competitions is very important. Oceania Football Confederation and PNG Football Association President, David Chung said this during the opening of the two-day Maintenance Seminar that is being hosted by FIFA in Port Moresby on Tuesday (9th August).

 The trainers that flew in from FIFA headquarters in Switzerland are Daniel Krebs, Football Facilities and Income Generation Programme manager, Mark Jennings-Temple, FIFA Football Turf and Natural Grass Consultant and Steven Guley, FIFA Facilities Consultant.

 The Maintenance Seminar is being attended by facilities and turf managers from within the Oceania Confederation. The participants are from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and host country Papua New Guinea.

 Mr Chung said the workshop will certainly enhance the participant’s skills in maintaining the field quality in order to have quality football fields for their players to enjoy.

 “I am sure that all of you will benefit from sharing ideas and also from learning from the FIFA experts who are here to ensure you learn as much from them and bring back your knowledge to implement in your respective countries,” Mr Chung said.

He said FIFA’s Forward Football Development program has committed USD25 million so far in the Oceania region since 2008 in building football facilities and such workshops are beneficial to ensure the investment is sustainable.

Daniel Krebs, Football Facilities and Income Generation Programme manager in welcoming the participants said the objective of the seminar is to get the participants to learn about how to maintain their pitches and facilities.

“Turf and facility maintenance is integral, therefore knowing how to maintain those two things will enable you to be strategic in your budgeting. “I hope that at the end of the workshop you will be able to go back to your countries and share the knowledge that you have received here with your people and create a legacy,” Jennings-Temple said.

The first day involved turf maintenance training while the second day training involved facilities training. 

Source: U20 Womens World Cup local Organizing committee PNG 

AFLPNG gets equipment’s

Australian High Commission Counselor, Tim Bryson (Center) surrounded by staff and students of Boroko Primary school holding on to some of the AFL footballs.

By FIDELIS SUKINA

A container load of sporting equipment which includes footballs Jerseys, and training equipment donated by Australian Rules football teams will be issued to 11 centers around the country.

The equipment was shipped across to PNG from Brisbane Australia by the Australian High Commission through funding through a direct Aid Program grant.

Aussie Rules as it is well known is a sport that Australians have invented and love as the name suggests and has become a sport that Papua New Guineans also love and the generosity from the Australian High Commission in PNG was much appriciated 

Australian High Commission Counselor, Tim Bryson, was present at a ceremony at the Boroko Salvation Army School to donate the equipment to AFLPNG.

Ekonia Peni Director AFL Junior and Community Development in PNG Ekonia Peni were there on behalf of AFLPNG to receive some of the equipment on Thursday at the school.

Bryson said the equipment will benefit more than 40,000 participants in the country and added that PNG and Australia had a great connection through sports.

Australian High Commission Counselor, Tim Bryson handing
 over some footballs to Ekonia Peni Director AFL Junior and
Community Development in PNG 

“The Australian High Commission is honored to help AFLPNG and its youth development program which has 45,000 participants throughout PNG, we hope the equipment from Australia will help extend the program and encourage participation.

“PNG is a country and AFL is a unique game PNG is the only place that loves and plays the sports Australians love, we share a common bond through sports we don’t only love sports but we love the same sports Netball, AFL, Rugby Union, Rugby Leauge and Soccer,” Bryson said.

Peni said the equipment would be shipped out to other provinces as well and encouraged the students to embrace sport as a way to live a healthy life.

“Playing sport is a way to keep healthy I played AFL till the age of 42 and that has helped me face up to challenges in life and students and AFL lovers should be thankful for to the Australians for helping the young people that play AFL, these equipment will be shipped out to Lae and from there up to the Highlands, we will also give some to Kimbe, Rbaul, Kavieng and The Autonomous Region of Bougainville,”. Peni said

PNG Karate looks forward to Tokyo

PNG Karate representetive Nigel Bana (With black belt) and his fellow colleges : Picture PNG Karate-do Federation

Following the news of Karate’s inclusion with four other sports in the next Olympics, the Papua New Guinea Karate-do Federation is looking forward to sending its first Olympians to the Tokyo Games in 2020.

President of PNGKF, Carl Mari said he was extremely elated about the news of Karate being approved by the IOC for Tokyo 2020. “This moment of history has been a longtime coming. Our current and future Karatekas (athletes) both in PNG and around the world can now aim for this, the Olympics, the pinnacle of sports!” he said.

Karate’s successful bid for the Olympics comes following a previous attempt by the World Karate Federation (WKF) to have it included in the 2012 Games in London and the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro failed.

It also lost the bid in the initial submissions for Tokyo 2020 to wrestling. However, with the introduction of the Agenda 2020 by the IOC, Karate and the other four successful sports bade again with 21 other sports for 2020 with positive news coming out for them on Wednesday 3 August this year.

“WKF and the global Karate family hopes to make a successful 2020 showing and also in 2024,” Mari said.

He said the road has been long and hard but will be more so for those aiming for qualification for Tokyo 2020.

While each country will have their own target to meet for this, for PNGKF, it has already started with the current PNG squad in preparation for the Oceania Karate Championships in Noumea, New Caledonia from September 15 to 16 this year.

Their preparation and possible qualification for the Olympics starts with the Oceania championships this year and will lead on to other events leading up to 2020.

“It’s a long and challenging road ahead but not an impossible one and we are looking forward to it, and I am sure our athletes are as well,” Mari said.

He thanked WKF executives led by President, Dr. Antonio Espinos, Japan Karate-Do Federation (JKF) led by Chairman, Mr. Takashi Sasagawa, Oceania Karate Federation led lately by Mrs. Makarita Lenoa and currently by Mr. Michael Kassis and other people who have made this dream a reality.

Mari also extended PNGKF’s gratitude to the President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), Dr. Robin Mitchell, President of the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC), Sir John Dawanincura and PNGOC Secretary General, Mrs. Auvita Rapilla for their support.

Source: PNG Karate-do Federation 

Count Down to Under 20 Womens World Cup Begins

from left: PNGFA General Secretary Dimirit Mileng, PNG Football Association (PNGFA) Senior Vice President, Linda Wonuhali Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko (throwing ball into the air) , U20 Womens World Cup Mascot Susa, PNG Sports Foundation Executive Director, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr and Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer, Seamus Marten in front of the Digital Billboard.

By FIDELIS SUKINA

There is approximately 94 days left for the opening match of the U20 womens World Cup on the 13th of November 2016. The World Cup will be hosted by PNG in Port Moresby.

An expected 175 million viewers from around the world will focus in on Papua New Guinea for the kick-off of the FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016 in November.

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko was present along with , PNG Sports Foundation Executive Director, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr; Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer, Seamus Marten; PNG Football Association (PNGFA) Senior Vice President, Linda Wonuhali and PNGFA General Secretary Dimirit Mileng to officially start the countdown  on the digital screen located outside the Sir John Guise Stadium, opposite city hall.

Minister Tkatchenko said with 100 days to go he acknowledged the Government for its efforts to

Support the country in hosting the match, and extended his gratitude towards PNG Football Association and FIFA in improving the sport of soccer in PNG especially for the women.

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko

“With 100 days to go, I personally would like to thank the PM and the cabinet along with the NCD Governor Powes Parkop for being the host city all facilities are being built in full consultation with FIFA and other stake holders.

“As sports minister I am proud of PNGFA and the organizing committee this is a moment for PNFA and FIFA to improve the sport of soccer for the country and especially for women in PNG”

Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Seamus Marten in a press statement said the countdown clock will be visible to the residents of Port Moresby who will play host to this world sporting event.

“One of our goals is to fill up the stadiums come November so the countdown clock will act as an exciting reminder for us and the residents of Port Moresby of how long until the kick-off as well as help build up the hype for the event,” he said.

Marten said with 100 days to go, the Local Organising Committee is working very hard to ensure that the stadiums are filled with spectators and fans come November.

He said preparations have picked up speed within the Local Organising Committee, with each functional area ensuring that they have everything in place come November.

The Live Countdown outside the Sir John Guise Stadium 

“This is the biggest sporting event of this stature that has ever been held and broadcast from Papua New Guinea to the world. It is a unique opportunity for Papua New Guinea as the host country to show the world we can,” Marten said.

“We’ve had meetings with venue managers and training venue owners as well as held meetings with respective government agencies who are involved with the preparation to synchronize all our efforts towards ensuring we are ready for kick off, he said.”

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be held from 13 November to 3 December. And the first game will feature North Korea and Sweden.