The Papua New Guinea Pacific Games Association (PNGPGA) has announced the appointment of Faye-Zina Lalo as Team PNG’s Chef de Mission to the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands where Team PNG is expected to send a large contingent of over 400 athletes and officials. A lawyer by profession with strong leadership and management experience, including membership various on corporate boards, Lalo presently serves as the legal advisor to the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee board after being elected to that role in 2018. Lalo also sits on the board of AFL Development PNG Ltd that promotes the code of AFL targeting the juniors and creating talent pathway for them to compete professionally. In making the announcement, the President of the PNGPGA Sir John Dawanincura said, “The Pacific Games is always a big games for us. This will be Faye’s first games as Chef de Mission. We have every confidence in her leadership and ability to replicate the existing structures and culture that has enabled Team PNG to excel over the years.” The appointment of Lalo continues the PNGPGAs work in gender equality and women empowerment in sport and leadership roles in PNG with Lalo succeeding another female Chef de Mission in Emma Waiwai who successfully lead Team PNG to the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa where PNG finshed in second place on the medal tally. “Faye is an exceptional talent and individual who has varied backgrounds in management and executive board roles with several prominent organisations in PNG in both the public and private sector. It is through such experience and association that we are confident in her ability to lead such a large contingent of athletes and officials” said Sir John. Lalo’s appoinment comes 15 months out from the 2023 Pacific Games. Her focus will now turn to reviewing the performances of the games sports, setting the games targets, working with the games sports, building her management team and attending a scheduled games update meeting in November in Honiara. “I am delighted to accept the appointment as Chef de Mission for Team PNG to the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. Team PNG has a strong reputation at the Pacific Games, and my team and I will be working hard to ensure our athletes and officials have everything they need to realise their potential over the next few months” said Lalo. “The nucleus of our Team PNG contingent have had a successful year winning the games at the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games in July this year, and with the added benefit of the 2022 Commonwealth Games experience we are building firmly for Solomons” she added. The 2023 Pacific Games is scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November 2022 with 24 sports on the games program.