The return of Poro Gahekave and Messach Fred to full time training is a tremendous boost to Athletics PNG’s preparations for the World Cross Country Championships and Pacific Mini Games next year.
After 18 months back home in PNG since graduating from Lubbock Christian University, Gahekave has returned to the United States where she can properly focus on her training in an environment that is more conducive to the attainment of sporting success.
With the cross-country season in the USA being held from August to November this presents the 2019 Pacific Games triple gold medalist with a great opportunity to get an excellent preparation for the February 2022 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst NSW.
Meanwhile, Pacific Games 1500m silver medalist Messach Fred has also resumed serious training after spending a year in Queensland pursuing an educational opportunity, during which time his training took the back seat.
Messach has now moved to the Oceania Athletics High Performance Training Centre at the Gold Coast and has joined the Gold Coast Run Co Club.
”Athletes usually come to the Centre on a trial basis, and we expect to formalize a longer-term scholarship for Messach by mid-July,” said APNG Secretary Philip Rehder.
Messach is part of a squad of about 40 runners who are going to different places to run on all kinds of terrain.
Messach mentioned that after returning to full training now he is really enjoying the trainings at this time which is quite varied but perfect to keep him in excellent focus.
Oceania AA are meeting all the costs including accommodation, coaching support, and living expenses with APNG contributing financially from its budget for the World Cross Country Championships.
In the meantime, World Athletics are providing a project Grant of $40,000 USD over two years for Athletics PNG’s distance program for which the budget included the Kerowagi Training Camp, support to a smaller group training in East New Britain (Utmei) , some officials training ,and overseas training support for one male and one female athlete.
