Six members of the PNG distance squad left for the Gold Coast on Sunday to join Siune Kagl and Dilu Goiye for two months intensive preparation for the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst NSW.
Scholastica Herman, Ongan Awa , Mary Tenge, Israel Takap, Aquila Turalom and James Gundu were joined by all rounder Edna Boafob who is resuming her own training programme towards the Pacific Games.
The team were disappointed that Wilford Baia was not able to travel with them for medical reasons , however Abel Siune is expected to join the team this week when his travel documentation is in order.
The male athletes will stay at the Oceania Athletics Association House at Varsity Lakes whilst the female athletes will be at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay.
Coach Bernard Manau was unable to travel and a replacement coach will join the athletes immediately after Christmas.
Athletics PNG President Tony Green said that it was important to keep the momentum going with the programme so it was decided last month that the athletes would not return home after the PNG Air National Championships, but travel to Brisbane. T
here will be a variety of different training and plenty of competition opportunities , which will be very stimulating for the athletes Green added.
Finding accommodation at this peak holiday time was difficult and he thanked the Oceania Athletic Association for their offer to house the athletes at an affordable cost.
Green also thanked the PNG Olympic Committee for its support through the team preparation budget towards the 2023 Pacific Games