by Shane Saroya – EM TV sports, Port Moresby
The Oil Search Pacific Games Baton Relay arrived in Kerema, Gulf Province.
Making its first stop at Karahure Miaru Community, the baton was greeted and welcomed by an array of traditional singing group.
The team took to a convoy along the Hiritano Highway through to Malalaua, with a welcome stop at Karahure as the baton made its journey into Gulf.
A formal welcome by the members and people of the local area and a singsing performed by the Karahare and Miaru communities
There the relay team was presented with its most unusual gift yet on its long journey; a baby crocodile, which team leader, Tamzin Wardley, gently accepted.
Next stop was at the village of Lese Oalai where traditional war cries met the baton as dancers appeared out of the mangroves, to escort the baton to the community, where school children were waiting at their oval.
From there the relay visited the crew at the Wahoo drilling rig, owned by Total and Inter-oil.
The relay convoy drove on towards Kerema crossing bridges decorated with palm fronds, and even trees, over the many rivers that run through the province.
Two short relays were run at Sapeharo and into Kerema town itself as time started to beat the team.
A final singsing at the Uamai Primary School, supported by Dekanai, who are rebuilding the road into Kerema, where the baton took a quick trip around Kerema town before being flewn by helicopter, crossing acres of sago and meandering rivers with massive volumes of water pouring into the gulf.
The Baton had overnight stay at Kopi.
The oil search Baton relay continues.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jRR3NOMEoUg%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
