Oceania Area President and IAAF Council Member Geoff Gardner conducted a refresher course for Athletics PNG key technical officials today ahead of the National Championships which commence 28 September in Goroka. OAA Executive Director Yvonne Mullins will be working with the PNG Games Athletics Competition Manager Jacinta Langa on the Meet Manager computerised entry and results system. George Moramoro, PNG’s own photo finish expert will be operating the electronic timing system.
Over 500 athletes from 14 provinces are expected to be in Goroka by Thursday for the start of the three day National Track and Field Championships.
Keen competition is expected in the mens sprints with Leeroy Kamau, Charles Livuan and Michael Penny from East New Britain; Chris Pennie and David Guka from Port Moresby; Benjamin Aliel and Philip Joe (Morobe) being some of the emerging talent on show. Letisha Pukaikia has travelled from New Zealand and will contest the open 100m and 200m along with Nancy Malamut (ENB) and Leonie Beu (Morobe) – 200m. Toea Wisil’s younger sister Christina will represent Jiwaka in the sprints. Fast times are expected in the 100m event with the track very dry and fast after a long spell of dry weather.
A number of 2017 Oceania Championship Gold medallist will be competing including Ephraim Lerkin Peniel Richard, Raylyne Kanam and Simbai Kaspar. Lerkin took a well earned break after the World Championships in London and will run the 800m this weekend instead of his usual 400m and 400m hurdles. The Autonomous Region of Bouganville will be represented by two distance runners Stanley Boas and Thadeus Raina. There will be large fields in all of the middle and long distance events and an entertaining weekend is in prospect.
