Baton arrives as Games set to start

PORT MORESBY – The cream of the Pacific’s sporting talent are arriving in Port Moresby as athletes prepare to compete for gold, silver and bronze in the much anticipated 2015 Pacific Games which the Duke of York Prince Andrew will open on Saturday local time.

The July 4-18 Games has attracted 3000 athletes, 500 team officials, 1000 technical officials plus a bevy of dignitaries and supporters from the 21 competing Pacific island countries and territories as well as Australia and New Zealand ethnic groups.

A total of 28 sports and disciplines will feature during the next two weeks, ranging from athletics, body building, boxing, cricket, powerlifting, soccer, rugby league to tennis and so much more.

But what’s more interesting is the mascot that has caught the eyes of Papua New Guineans throughout as well as the Pacific Islands nations.

Tura the Kokomo, is the 2015 Pacific Games Mascot. Kokomo is Tok Pisin for hornbill, a bird that is unique to PNG.

“Tura the Kokomo represents the modern city of Port Moresby as welcoming and friendly, which is the nature of the 2015 Pacific Games,” the Couirer-Post has enthused.

“Port Moresby is set to deliver a successful XV Pacific Games, said National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop as he received the Pacific Games relay Baton from Oil Search chairman Gerea Aopi, the sponsor of the baton relay.

The baton has been carried and passed on by thousands of Papua New Guindeans as travelled through all 22 of PNG’s provinces over the last 100 days.

Parkop said the city is ready and proud to deliver its best during the next two weeks of sporting events.

“The people of the capital city are ready and happy to make it a successful 2015 Pacific Games in this 40th anniversary of PNG’s Independence,” Parkop said.

In welcoming the baton to the city, Mr Parkop commended all stakeholders in ensuring the venues and related logistics are ready, the people of Motu Koitabu and city residents.

Oli Search’s Aopi said the relay itself had been a success throughout its nationwide tour.

“The baton as been passed throughout PNG travelling by foot, canoe, boat, plane and finally today by lagatois after its Central Province leg, making it into the capital city,” Aopi said.