by Tokana Hasavi Jr – EM TV News, Port Moresby
PNG’s Chef de Mission, Richard Kassman, although more hopeful than adamant, says Team PNG can wrap up the 15th Pacific Games on a high ‘golden’ note.
Kassman, in an exclusive interview with EM TV News, cautioned Papua New Guinea not to celebrate early as the Games are far from over.
It’s Day 9 and although Team PNG has been reeling in gold in various sporting codes and the gold count well over thirty, Kassman says other countries are still in the run to increase their gold record.
He shared his insight on some of our Pacific neighbours that are capable of upsetting PNG next week.
“We have gold-domination in weightlifting, bodybuilding and swimming but Tahiti and New Caledonia are pretty good in Taekwondo and Karate, so we need to ensure that we make the most of taking gold in the sports next week” said the PNG Chef de Mission.
EMTV News also found out about Kassman’s close family bond with our women’s Va’a team who won gold against Tahiti – the current world champions in the aquatic sport, commonly known as V12.
“I have tremendous amount of pride in my son Jonathan who left his job to be the team’s coach and my wife who is the manager”, said an emotional Kassman.
Kassman, putting the emotions aside also explained the urgency that all athletes have to make Papua New Guinea proud, as the Government invested millions of kina in delivering the Games.
The nation’s Chef de Mission is confident that in the last 6 days, PNG athletes have the potential and spirit to win the 15th Pacific Games.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zYoS7O-wfk0%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
