by Sylvester Gawi – EM TV, Lae
With less than a month remaining before the 2014 PNG Games in Lae, many sporting venues have seen improvements.
The construction of fencing, ablution facilities and new volleyball courts at the Eriku oval are just some of new and many changes for the PNG Games.
Meanwhile, upgrading works at the Sir Ignatius Kilage are also near completion.
The Eriku oval, one of the major sporting venues for the PNG Games, now has new fencing along its perimeters.
The main oval will be used for Aussie Rules, while the volleyball courts have been upgraded to concrete.
As part of its new developments, an ablution facility is also under construction.
The Lae basketball court is also undergoing major refurbishment works at the grandstands and ablution block.
It is only awaiting resurfacing works on its courts and electricians to work on the outdoor lightings.
Other designated sporting venues have also been upgraded to standard.
The upgrading of the basketball court was done by the Morobe Mining Joint Venture while other sporting facilities were from the National Government’s funding.
Works at the stadiums were done by the Papua New Guinea Sports Federation as part of its contribution towards the PNG Games.
At the Sir Ignatius Kilage outdoor stadium, contractors are now working on laying down the synthetic tracks for athletics.
The stadium was given a fresh look with repainting works now into its final stages.
A new-look netball court, swimming facility and karate arena have been given finishing touches and will be ready in two weeks time.
In the last couple of months, much of the construction and rehabilitation of sporting venues were delayed.
Despite a shortfall in funding commitments from the National Government, the organising committees are optimistic in delivering a remarkable PNG Games for the nation.
All sporting venues are expected to be ready, a week before the start of the games on 16 November.
