 |
| PNG marching into the Kafika Stadium for the closing ceremony. |
They finished ahead of Tahiti who got 26 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze while New Caledonia came in third with 21 gold, 13 silver and 9 bronze.
It was fair game for all countries but Team PNG proved too strong for her Pacific neighbours as we collected medals in almost all of the eight sports contested. Only rugby 7’s and women’s indoor volleyball missed out after both finished in 4th place.
While most people thought that this was a Team preparing well for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Team PNG Chef de Mission, Mr. Richard Kassman said that their focus was the 2013 Pacific Mini Games and not 2015.
“Our focus is 2013 and not 2015. We came here to compete and win medals at this Game and when 2015 comes, we will focus on 2015,” he said.
He said a medal won at the Pacific Mini Games is a medal and they will give their very best to win them.
When welcoming the Team back to Papua New Guinea on September 14, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said their win had given the country a wonderful present for their independence this year.
He said the country is proud of their achievement and each member of the Team should be proud of their performances as well.
Mr O’Neill also said this is a good start for PNG as they prepare to participate at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and the 2015 Pacific Games which will be hosted in Port Moresby.
“Your efforts at this Games has shown that you can do well in the Pacific but you can also do well at the Commonwealth and Olympic level if you are prepared well for it because nothing is stopping you,” Mr O’Neill said.
President of PNG Olympic Committee, Sir John Dawanicura, thanked the Government for their support to the Team and appealed to the Prime Minister to give more recognition to athletes and officials for their hard work and efforts to international Games.
Source - Sports Garamut (Issue 09) September 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment