Prime Minister Peter O’Neill saysthe 2015 Pacific Games will be a testing time forPNG asthe Government also bids to hostthe 2018 APEC meeting.
He said this atthe ground breaking ceremony ofthe Pacific Games Village atthe University of Papua New Guineaon Wednesday.
It’sthe University that has produced five Prime Ministersinthe country.
The Games are a National event and Vice Chancellor of UPNG, Professor Albert Mellam expressed gratitude towardsthe Government for giving UPNGthe opportunity to be part ofthe games.
Prime Minister O’Neill says while it has been a long and hard road since winningthe bid to hostthe games, it is also an opportunity forPNG to showcasethe country andthe ability to be hospitable to international visitors.
The Games village will also accommodate future intakes ofthe University creating study opportunities and training Human Resource ofthe country andthe region.
One hundred and eighty million Kina that was allocated inthe 2013 budget for the Games preparation has been used so far.
The ground breaking ceremony marks anther historic moment for Papua New Guinea This yet to be built multi-million kina construction will kill two birds with one stone; (1) to accommodatethe four thousand plus athletes that will be converging here in PNG comethe 2015 Pacific Games, and (2) is to cater for the ever increasing intakes ofthe University of Papua New Guinea
Sophie Yaruso, National EMTV News
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