Athletics PNG President Tony Green, on behalf of the Board of Athletics PNG, has sent out a condolence message to all athletics bodies, associations, affiliates and especially to the grieving family of the late Coach Wilson Malana. Late Coach Malana was a former Team PNG Athlete and a primary school teacher in Kimbe, West New Britain Province. Reasons for his death is still unknown.
The Condolence Message reads:
“The Athletics family in PNG is grieving the untimely death of Coach Wilson Malana in Kimbe on Friday 23 February. Wilson was a certified Level ii Coach and a key Technical Official. His skills and expertise were called on by Athletics PNG on a number occasions to conduct officiating duties at regional and national events and he coached teams to overseas meets.
“As an Athlete, Wilson competed in the 100m, 200m and 400m events. His highest achievement was winning a Silver medal in the 200m at the 2002 Oceania U18 Championships in Christchurch New Zealand. He also represented PNG at the 2004 Oceania Championships in Townsville, Australia before retiring from athletics in 2007 to pursue his teaching career.
“Wilson returned to our sport and was the coach of the Oceania Area Championships in Suva in 2017. In 2018, he was selected for the GAPS Programme leading into the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
“Wilson was instrumental in developing the code in West New Britain following the installation of the all weather track in 2017. Many good athletes emerged from WNB in the period 2018 -2020 including current national 1500m record holder Aquila Turalom along with Danlyne Siliwen, Delvin Ainui, Patricia Kuku and Samuel Pai.
“It was his passion and knowledge as a coach, organizer and leader that Wilson made his mark on APNG. He spent a period of time coaching PNG athletes at the National Sports Institute in Goroka and at Kerowagi in 2021. Wilson served a term on the Board of Athletics PNG from 2020-2022.
“He was respected and admired by his colleagues and the many athletes he trained and mentored throughout his career. Coach Malana will surely be missed by the athletics family in PNG and abroad.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Beatrice and their children Tonton and Ennie.
“Remembering his wonderful and gentle soul”.
Photo Credit: Frank D Koibu - WNB Athletics
Comments