By Michelle Jerewai, Port Moresby 2015 Games News Service
PORT MORESBY, July 14 – Athletes from Papua New Guinea who win a gold, silver or bronze medal in the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games will receive a cash bonus as part of an initiative by the PNG Olympic Committee and the government.
Athletes will receive K20,000 (US$7,250) for a gold medal regardless of whether they are competing as an individual or a team, K10,000 for a silver and K5000 for a bronze as part of the programme.
The Minister for Sport and Special Events, Justin Tkatchenko (PNG), said the programme was to help financially assist the athletes, as many of them do not earn a wage.
“The whole idea is to boost the sporting abilities of athletes. We have done this because most of the athletes are really scraping by to survive as athletes in this country,” Tkatchenko said.
“This enhancement programme is all about enhancing our PNG athletes and letting them have money to buy new equipment and uniforms.”
Tkatchenko said that athletes had worked very hard and deserved the financial assistance.
“They’re committed every day, they’re responsible, they show the initiative and they get out there and spend a lot of their time and effort, blood, sweat and tears in making themselves superstars,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s in every event that they’re going to expect money. This is a special event, the Pacific Games.”
“It’s an initiative of the PNG Olympic Committee and the government working together to recognise the abilities and the hard working commitment of athletes.”
Tkatchnko said the government had put aside K5 million to cover the costs of all the medal wins.
“It’s a straight forward thing, nothing sinister or nothing else but to reward those who deserve it. Everybody should be rewarded.”
For more information visit www.portmoresby2015.com
