Athletics PNG welcomed home its athletes and officials this week from the highly successful and record breaking Pacific Mini Games in Northern Mariana Islands. The team of 38 athletes and seven officials touched down at Jacksons Airport on the Air Niugini Charter flight and was met by Athletics PNG secretary Philip Rehder who was among the many families and friends to welcome their heroes of Saipan. In welcoming the team at the Homecoming Function held at the TAC, APNG President Tony Green said athletics total medal contribution of 62 to the Team PNG total (including six from Para athletes) was a rewarding achievement for the athletes and coaches who had been preparing for these games over the past two years under very trying conditions brought on by Covid-19 and restrictions imposed by governments and respective sporting and training venues. He added that in his 30 years of involvement with athletics and preparing for many international events, these games preparations had been the most challenging. With athletics once again topping the medal tally in our regional event with 23 gold, 23 silver and 16 bronze, it was very pleasing the hard work and commitment by everyone involved paid off. All athletes’ performances were outstanding as evident in the medal haul and special mention of Lakona Gerega , Karo Iga and the womens 4*100m relay for their national records as well as Gold Medals. Adolf Kauba and Scholastica Herman were two junior athletes who made a huge impression. The team’s performance is also a reflection of their coaches for the effort and commitment they put in. Head coach Brett Green was instrumental in the athletes wellbeing and focus over the period leading up to and during the games. His professionalism and hard work was supported by Subul Babo, Nelson Stone, Philip Kamane and Malcom Limbai Rehder extended special gratitude to team managers Kylie Martins and Sharon Atuai for their tireless work in getting all the necessary travel requirements in place and meeting other Team PNG travel protocols where required. The success of this team was also attributed to the backing of our major sponsors PNG Air and Prima Small Goods. The support of the National Sports Institute, KCH through the PNG Olympic Committee, PNG Sports Foundation were instrumental in enabling APNG to hold training camps and regional and national championships. These events are important in athletes staying focused and healthy throughout the pandemic period where international events were cancelled and we could not gauge our performances against other athletes in the region until these Games.