From Athlete to Coach and Team Official
WORDS: Bob Snow

Many athletes have a distinguished career on the track and in the field. Once they retire from active competition, what do they do then?

One PNG athlete, Sapolai Yao, has made the transition from athlete to coach, and he is with Team PNG in Palau.

Sapolai first became known to the wider Pacific in the 2001 Mini Games on Norfolk Island. He came second in the 5000m behind French Polynesia’s Georges Richmond, and fourth in the 1500m. He was not entered in the 3000m Steeplechase – an event which became his signature event.

Sapolai won gold in the Steeplechase in the Pacific Games in 2007 and 2015, and silver in 2011 and 2019. In addition, he won gold in the 5000m and 10000m in the Mini Games in 2005. He also picked up many Oceania Championships and Melanesian Championship titles in his long career.

Venturing outside the Pacific Games, he represented PNG at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games and the World Championships in 2015.

The following comes from the PNG newspaper, The National (14 August 2024).

“As a former national representative from 1999 to 2019, I want to give back to develop the next generation of runners. Hopefully these athletes learn and develop their talent”, he said.

In a different capacity we have Fiji’s Albert Miller, who is now one of the leading coaches for Team Palau. Albert had a very long and successful career in the Pacific Games, winning the Decathlon in three Games – 1983, 1987, & 1991. He was also a successful athlete over the 110m Hurdles.

Joining Sapolai on the PNG Team roster are two very successful PNG sprinters – Subul Babo and Nelson Stone.

Subul was one of the stars of the 1991 “home Games” in Port Moresby. He won the 400m and helped his team win the two relays. He has won many medals in Pacific competitions. Beyond the Pacific Ocean he has represented PNG at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. In Atlanta he was the flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony. He competed in the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

Nelson Stone won gold in the 400m in the 2011 and 2015 Pacific Games. He won many events in Oceania and had success beyond our region. He represented PNG in the 2009 and 2011 World Championships, the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. In Delhi he made the semi-finals in both the 200m and 400m events. He had much success in Asian competitions in China, Singapore and Thailand. Nelson is a prominent Port Moresby coach.

The PNG Team is lucky to have successful former athletes return to assist the newcomers achieve their goals.

—ENDS—