PNG Games Recalled

THE PNG Games Council has unanimously agreed to recall the 8^th PNG Games from the Host Organizing Committee Mendi, Southern Highlands Province with reference to Clause 8.9.1 of the PNG Games charter which empowers the Council to monitor and evaluate games preparations and recall rights to host.

This decision was reached after the presentation of the Sports Technical Advisory Committee venue inspection report which was conducted in Mendi on 26-29 June, 2022.

The main concern raised  during the visit was the pace of the  construction of the games facilities, and the number of completed venues that are ready for sports competitions by the end of this year. The STAC concluded that the venues will not be ready by November for SHP to stage the Games.

After much deliberation, the Executive Committee made the following recommendations to the PNG Games Council for their endorsement;

1. That the SHP Provincial Government won the bid in 2015 and the venues preparation have fallen behind schedule for Games delivery in 2022. Therefore, the Council is to consider recalling the right to host the 8^th PNG Games from HOC – SHP.
2. That the Council will invite other provinces to express their readiness to host the 8^th PNG Games as soon as practicable. The Executive Committee also proposed for the Council to consider NCD/Central Province to co-host the 8^th PNG Games in NCD in June/July 2023 given the availability of world class venues in Port Moresby.
3. The Council also recommended limiting the number of sports to 10 compulsory ones as captured in the PNG Games Charter. Other sports may be considered subject to the recommendation of the new hosts. The compulsory sports are:
   1. Athletics 
   1. Basketball
   1. Boxing’
   1. Touch Football
   1. Soccer’
   1. Powerlifting
   1. Rugby League Nines
   1. Touch
   1. Volleyball (Indoor)
   1. Netball

Meanwhile the PNG Sports Foundation has taken steps to work with HOC Mendi and SHP Government to complete the construction of all the facilities. The Executive Director Albert Veratau has expressed satisfaction that much has been achieved.

With the collaboration of key government departments including Department of National Planning & Monitoring and Departments of Treasury & Finance the state of the art facilities will be constructed in SHP. This decision relieves the pressure of HOC SHP and gives them sufficient time to complete the venues and be better prepared to stage the next PNG Games.