PNG Weightlifting Federation in conjunction with the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has written to the Australian Government requesting for its athletes to be allowed into Australia to train and prepare for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
PNG Weightlifting Federation President Sir John Dawanincura told Post-Courier that their first option if approved, is to send their elite athletes to train in Melbourne under International coach Paul Coffa.
Dawanincura said they are looking at all options to ensure athletes attend more leadup competitions if opportunities are made available.
“The Australian Foreign Affairs will give only three months to train as per their policies, which we cannot question; but we will negotiate for an extension in order to give more preparation time for our athletes to prepare.
“However, if all does not go according to plan, then the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highland Province would be our second option. But again, we would do our best to send them (Weight-lifter) overseas,” said Dawanincura.
He said currently they have a squad in place that is yet to be screened by the PNGOC’s justification committee.
He said it is not only justifying the sport but sports have to justify the individual athlete both males and females.
He said each PNG athlete must have a track record in order to convince the Justification Committee to be able to attend overseas competitions and qualifying matches.
Dawanincura said they are eying the Oceania Championships to qualify for the weightlifters to qualify with the dates and time to be announced in the coming weeks.
Apart from the regulars like Morea Baru and Dika Toua, Dawanincura says a list has been sent to the national coach to make his selection.
He said selections will be done, based on their performance, and attitude towards training.
“After all of this process, then the final list will be submitted to the PNGOC’s justification committee to justify these athletes,” said Dawanincura….PACNEWS