PNG Athletes John Rivan and Theo Piniau have been granted Oceania Foundation Scholarships to attend Southwestern Community College in Iowa, USA.
Commencing in August this year,the 19 year old sprinters from East New Beitain who’ve just completed Grade 12 are in for a Life time experience.
AthleticPNG President Tony Green is ecstatic aboutthe opportunities available to young athletes to join a competitive programme inthe United States and atthe same time get an education.
John Rivan and Theo Piniau just recently completed year 12 at Kokopo Secondary School and follow inthe footsteps of Cecilia Kumalalamene, Sharon Kwarula and Wala Gime who were granted similar scholarships two years ago.
After a good year of trainingthese young lads producedthe outstanding individual male performance ofthPNG Games.
The Oceania Foundation scholarship programme enables talented young athletes to developtheir sporting careers and atthe same time gain tertiary education to preparethem for life after sport.
Only athletes aged 17 to 20 are eligible for this particular programme but Greens saysthere’s no reason why more athletes cannot be sent at our own expense.”
There is also some good news for the female athletes Dona Koniel, Shirley Vunatap, and Pauline Kupai from Bougainville who caughtthe eyes of selectors atthPNG Games and Vanessa Waro will take part inthe Queensland Track Classic. All four girls blazedthe tracks duringthPNG games as well.
Sophie Yaruso, Trukai Sport
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