by Mickey Kavera – EM TV, Port Moresby
Critics of the Pacific Games have been urged to be positive. Minister for Sports, Justin Tkatchenko urged that they refrain from degrading the Pacific Games.
Despite numerous questions on the status of Pacific Games infrastructure, Tkatchenko is still optimistic that the Games will go ahead, as scheduled, on July 4th 2015.
“What are your motives of downgrading the Pacific Games?” he asked parliament today.
The Pacific Games will be the single biggest national event to be hosted by the country and we all should be proud, he says. He remarks come after he was again questioned by Usino-Bundi MP, Anton Yagama on the status of the venues.
Mr Yagama queried why some venues were built in stages. Mr Tkatchenko said the venues built in stages are the Hubert Murray Stadium at Konedobu, Port Moresby.
The first stage will be to complete the grandstand as the stadium will host games such as rugby union. The second stage will be completed after the Games.
Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare was also critical of the venues being completed on time.
He says it seems it will take one and a half years to complete the venues, despite the sport minister’s allusions.
“We have four months remaining and there are not even promising signs that the venues will be completed,” he says.
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