Athletics PNG has named a travelling team of 11 male and 8 female athletes for the Commonwealth Games after two squad members were ruled out with injury. The mens team is Nelson Stone , Theo Piniau , Ruwan Gunasinghe , Kupun Wisil , Kaminiel Matlaun , Junior Saio Avefa , Wala Gime , Mowen Boino and Kevin Kapmatana for the sprints, hurdles and relays; plus Andipas Georasi , Veherney Babob , Matlaun and Kapmatana for the middle distance events. The womens squad includes Toea Wisil , Betty Burua , Sharon Kwarula , Donna Koniel, Shirley Vunatup , Adrine Monagi and Helen Philemon for the sprints hurdles and relays; with Philemon also taking part in long jump , and Rellie Kaputin the long jump and triple jump. Joe Matmat was ruled out on medical advice after failing to recover from a hamstring injury that has plagued him for much of the season and John Rivan was also ruled out some time ago due to injury. Betty Burua is back in full training after several hamstring injuries hampered her season and is expected to pass a final fitness test at the end of the month. Team Manageress Sophia Marai and Coaches Naomi Polum and Bernard Manau will accompany the athletes to Glasgow.Athletic PNG President Tony Green said that an administrative issue was delaying the confirmation of a Head Coach.
The bulk of the team will travel to Rarotonga this weekend for the Oceania Championships and then spend two weeks in Brisbane before the team departs for Glasgow on July 15.
The exceptions are Kapmatana , Babob , Georasi and Avefa who will all have a period of training and two competitions in Brisbane before departure for Glasgow. Australia is sending large teams to the World Junior Championships and to the Commonwealth Games , hence many of these athletes are expected to compete at the two meets in Brisbane between now and July 13.
The annual USA Down Under Meet on the Gold Coast (July 11 to 13) which attracts many student athletes from the United States will be bigger than ever this year and Athletics PNG is taking the opportunity to give its Commonwealth Games team members a pre departure competition. The Athletics competition in Glasgow begins on July 27 and ends on August 3
Last Modified on 19/06/2014 10:29