A total of 25 male and 12 female national squad members from Athletics PNG are at training camp at the National Sports Institute this week as part of the team’s preparations for the Pacific Games. Head Coach Brett Green has taken charge of the programme, assisted by Luke Donatini (hurdles and jumps) , Subul Babo and Allan Akia (sprints) ; Philip Kamane and Malcolm Limbai (middle/long distance). Cairns based Team PNG Head Physiotherapist Matthew Natusch is also attending the camp to screen all the athletes and identify any issues that need addressing. The team has been deeply saddened by the loss of Head Sprints coach Samu Sasama on Monday but after consulting with senior staff the camp is continuing. All of the male sprinters based in the United States of America have returned to the country and will participate in the PNG Air National Championships from August 11 to 13.   The training camp is an opportunity to get everyone together and plan their final preparations and to consider which athletes can fill gaps in the team such as the sprint hurdles and some of the jumping events. President Tony Green said that the final travelling team will be announced after the national championships even though they have been through process of selection with the Justification Committee of the PNG OC. “Whilst most places in the team have been determined in accordance with our selection policy, we know that the mens sprints will be very competitive and it would not be fair to the PNG based athletes to pre select overseas based athletes.” “So we are looking forward to a high standard and very competitive National Championships.” Green thanked sponsors, PNG Air and Prima Smallgoods for their ongoing support for the athletes preparation for the Games. Green further added thanks to the management of NSI for their support for the teams preparations, especially Director Janet Gimots and Kylie Martins. Cairns based Team PNG physio Matthew Natusch was very impressed with the set up at NSI and has seen all the athletes over the past few days. He has been able to spend time with each individual and use his expertise to identify actual and potential issues that they have. The importance of recovery from training sessions and how to keep themselves in shape and avoid injuries has been emphasised by the coaches as well as Mr Natusch, as a number of athletes have poor stability and tight muscles. Head Coach Green is pleased with the Camp so far and with the athletes overall preparation for the Games. He said Matthew’s help is invaluable at this stage because getting athletes into peak physical condition will certainly improve their performance and he is looking forward to seeing some good results at the National Championships. Green and Luke Donatini are also mentoring the local coaches and assisting them with the athlete training programmes towards the Games. Coach Green also said it was great to see the younger athletes in the NSI Development Programme joining the camp because they are the national reps of the future.