The Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) has presented K1 million cheque to Team PNG athletes on Tuesday, December 12, at the Sir John Guise Stadium-Indoor Complex Foyer in Port Moresby.
The money is an incentive for all the athletes who participated in the 2023 XVI Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Gracing the occasion to witness the cheque presentation were PNGSF Chief Executive Officer, Albert Veratau, PNG Olympic Committee Secretary General, Auvita Rapilla, and Team PNG representives (medalists), along with their coaches, invited guests and media personnel.
When presenting the cheque, CEO Veratau shared a few remarks and thanked the Government for the fundinding allocation through the Sports Ministry under the leadership of Hon. Don Polye.
He congratulated the athletes for their efforts in representing PNG well on foreign soil and winning medals for the country.
“It is a massive thing to be an athlete. In trying circumstances, you make a lot of sacrifices and persevere through,” he said.
“Sometimes, you take time off your job and don’t do the things that you are supposed to do, so congratulations. Your hard work has paid off.”
He also thanked the sponsors and those people who supported the athletes, making their trip to and from the Solomon Islands possible.
Auvita Rapilla also echoed similar sentiments to Veratau's and congratulated the athletes for representing PNG with pride and honor.
For the break-up of the amount given, Mr. Veratau explained that the athletes who won Gold will receive K5, 000 each, while Silver and Bronze medalists will get K2, 500 and K1, 000, respectively.
He further encouraged those athletes who did not win any medal and challenged them to improve and do better in the next Pacific Games.
“Those ones that missed out might have missed out on a second, by half a meter or one punch less that resulted in the opponent winning and you having to settle for fourth place,” Veratau said.
“Every event is a learning experience for everyone. Those that could not get into a medal placing, use this as a springboard for next event.”
Meanwhile, the athletes are now preparing to take part in the Olympic Games in Paris (2024), the Mini Pacific Games in Palau (2025) and the 18th Pacific Games in Tahiti (2027).
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