Papua New Guinea’s top swimmers will gather in Lae this weekend for the 2026 FedEx PNG National Short Course Swimming Championships.

The two-day competition will be held from October 3 to 4 at the Lae International School Senior Campus, also known as the Coronation School Pool on Coronation Drive.

PNG Swimming Inc. expects 61 swimmers from the Boroko Amateur Swimming Club and Lae Amateur Swimming Club to compete across the weekend.

Among those taking part will be PNG representatives who competed at this year’s Oceania Championships and Commonwealth Games, giving emerging swimmers the chance to race against some of the country’s leading athletes.

The 25-metre championships will also serve as an important selection meet as PNG Swimming Inc. begins identifying Train-On Squads for future international competitions.

Performances from the championships will contribute to the selection pathway for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti (24 July - 8 August), French Polynesia, and the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta (29 October - 4 November).

The championships will also provide swimmers with a chance to achieve qualifying performances and gain valuable competition experience ahead of the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), scheduled for December 1 to 6 in Beijing, China.

According to PNG Swimming Inc., the competition is being delivered with the support of technical officials, coaches, athletes, volunteers and the Lae Amateur Swimming Club.

“PNGSI acknowledges the outstanding work of its technical officials under the direction of World Aquatics Swimming officials John Agovai, Gilbert Camillus and Albert Vigil, together with the Lae Amateur Swimming Club executives and members, who are working to ensure the competition is delivered to international standards.”

PNG Swimming Inc. has also acknowledged PNG Air Freight, through its FedEx brand, for its continued sponsorship and in-kind support of the National Short Course Championships.

“Their contribution provides valuable resources that support the participation of athletes and officials and the successful delivery of this important national competition.”

The championships are expected to provide a weekend of competitive racing while helping identify swimmers who could form part of PNG’s future international representation.

“We extend our best wishes to all swimmers, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters attending the 2026 FedEx PNG National Swimming Championships.”