Pacific Mini Games: Team PNG's hopes hang on levy deadline

RNZ News

17-06-2025

Lae and Goroka based athletes were in action on 19 April 2025 preparing for the Mini Pacific Games in Palau.
Photo:
Facebook / Athletics PNG INC.
Team Papua New Guinea (PNG) will confirm their team for the
2025 Pacific Mini Games
this weekend.
This follows revelations by the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) that no government funding has been forthcoming for the Games in Palau.
Team PNG claimed the most medals at the last Mini Games held in the Northern Mariana Islands.
PNGOC president Emma Waiwai told
The National
newspaper on Monday that all federations yet to pay the levy have until Wednesday, 18 June, to do so.
Failure to do that may result in some sports being left out.
Waiwai said despite submitting a budget last year, the Team PNG contingent has yet to receive any funding from thegovernment.
That has resulted in Team PNG deciding that they will exclude sports with outstanding or partial payments.
The National
reported that the original levy payment deadline was 16 May and teams were given multiple extensions.
Each athlete and official is required to pay a levy of K2,000 (US$483).
"The PNGOC is currently funding Team PNG's preparations to Palau by itself in 2025," Waiwai said in a statement.
"Without confirmation of government support to date, we are left with no choice but to work within the limitations of our own budget. Unfortunately, this means we may have to drop sports that have not fully paid their levies, made only partial payments, or failed to pay altogether."
Team PNG's participation at the Palau Mini Games will cost around US$992,000.
Of that each athlete need US$2,550 each to cover airfares, accommodation, meals, ground transport, medical expenses, insurance, and an allowance.
Despite having invoiced sports federations 12 months ago, the PNGOC has received just partial payments.
Team PNG's chie de mission Kinivanagi Karo, said the current situation jeopardises Team PNG's chances of defending its title as reigning champion.
Karo remains hopeful that all endorsed athletes and teams will board the plane to Palau, urging them to stay optimistic and focused.
"We aim to top the medal tally again, and I believe our athletes are capable of achieving this with the right support," he said.
The Palau Mini Games will bring together athletes from across 24 Pacific Island countires and territories.
Team PNG is set to depart Port Moresby on 26 June with the Games is set to officially open on 29 June.
Meanwhile, both Team Fiji and Team Vanuatu have also been working on securing funding to assist their teams.
Team Fiji have announced that they will compete in 12 sports.
These are archery, athletics, baseball (Men), basketball, Para Athletics, Para Table Tennis, swimming, triathlon, Outrigger Canoeing or Va'a, Beach & Indoor Volleyball (Women) and weightlifting.
The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) said a total of 73 male athletes and 63 female athletes, alongside team officials and support staff will make the trip.
But that could change if some federations are not able to pay their fully levies.
Athletics Fiji for instance have been busy fundraising to help some of their athletes.
FASANOC said the final traveling team will be subject to each sport successfully clearing their levies in full.
It said they are working closely with National Federations to ensure all financial obligations are met, allowing athletes to take their well-earned place at the Games.
In Vanuatu, Vanuatu Sports Association and Naitonal Olympic Commttee chief executive David Lolo said they are coitnuing their preparations despite financial setbacks.
He said government had not responded to their requests for funding but Team Vanuatu has worked with other options to get funding.