Press Release: Central Bank Supports Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

Paralympic

Governor Mr Loi Bakani presented a cheque of K20 000 to Chef de Mission, Dr Kefu Ma of PNG Paralympic Committee

Papua New Guinea will again take part in the Paralympic Games next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the 7th – 18th September 2016.

PNG Paralympic Committee (PNGPC), as a world Para-sports member will organize a team to attend the games next year.

Showing their support toward the event, Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Mr Loi Bakani presented a cheque of K20 000 to Chef de Mission, Dr Kefu Ma of PNG Paralympic Committee.

The sponsorship of K20 000 from the Bank will go to assist the Paralympic Committee prepare athletes for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Dr Ma said powerlifting athletes still need to achieve the Minimum Qualification Standard between 5th April 2014 and 29th February 2016 to take part in the games and the sponsorship will greatly assist the team to achieve the qualification standard.

2016 IPC Powerlifting World Cup in Kuala Lumpur on 24th -28th February is the last chance for our PNG Powerlifting athletes to achieve the qualification standard. PNG Paralympic Committee will send a team composed of two lifters Pope Gazave (Goroka), Patrick Piko (Koroba), coach Anthony King and team manageress Michelle Wong for the last powerlifting sprint.

Dr Ma thanked the Governor, Mr Bakani, for the timely financial sponsorship to support PNGPC to organize this participation.

He also added that PNG is the only island country in the Oceania region to take part in the powerlifting event. Currently PNG’s powerlifting athletes are getting old in age, some are over 50 years old. He urged all provinces to select and send more young athletes to the 2016 PNG Games in Kimbe.

Governor Loi Bakani said the Bank of Papua New Guinea is proud to support PNG Paralympic team to world events as it provides equal opportunities for athletes with special needs to show case their abilities and potential, just like able athletes. He also encouraged young people with special needs to come forward and demonstrate their abilities to represent PNG in world sports events.