By HENRY MORABANG
PNG Olympic Committee urgently needs more than K1 million to prepare and send Team PNG to the Tokyo Olympics in Japan next year.
PNGOC secretary general Auvita Rapila while thanking the corporate companies for their support towards the PM’s Golf Challenge said they would be looking at K500,000 for preparations in the first half of next year and participation costs at K750,000. So in total PNGOC needs to raise K1.25m for the Tokyo Olympics.
“We were fortunate to secure a grant of AUS$250,000 (K636,000) under the PacificAus Sport Program in June this year which is what we are currently using to assist our athletes in-country and those overseas with their preparations for the Tokyo Olympics,” Auvita said.
She said so far PNGOC has raised K317,433.00 in total from both Lae and Port Moresby PM’s Golf Challenges after expenses.
Secretary General said Team PNG Participation budget for Tokyo Olympics is K750,000.00 for an estimated team size of 27.
The team to Tokyo Olympics hasn’t been finalized year but athletes and teams must qualify for the Olympics. She noted unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all Olympic Qualifiers were put on hold and are being rescheduled and likely to happen in the New Year once the borders open.
Only two brother and sister sailors were able to qualify early this year and they are: Men’s Laser – Teariki Numa and Women’s Laser Radial – Rose-Lee Numa.
Other sports such as Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Karate, Rugby 7s (Women’s team), Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon and Weighlifting that are targeted and trying to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
She said PNG Olympic Committee will be able to enter athletes in Athletics and Swimming (one male and one female) under the universality placings if they don’t qualify on merit.
“We also applied for six tripartite invitations (Eligible sports-Boxing, Judo, Karate, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Taekwondo).
“Decision will be made in 2021 as to whether or not PNG has been given an invitation based on nominated athletes previous performances as well as performances at current qualifying competitions/events,” she said.