Noumea Fever Builds Up - As

NG Fights For Third Games

By a Staff Writer

Strong forces are at work to see to it that Papua-New Guinea does stage the Third South Pacific Games in 1969 after all.

THE decision not to hold the Games was taken by the Sep tember sitting of the House of As sembly after the Administration had presented figures showing high costs.

But the facts at that meeting were produced for reasons of political expediency and there is strong public pressure to have the decision re versed.

Main advocate for reversal is Dr.

John Gunther, president of the Papua-New Guinea South Pacific Games Association. He is vice chancellor of the P-NG University.

In Port Moresby on October 17 Dr. Gunther said that since the As sembly’s decision, the P-NG associa tion had renewed its invitation to the Games Council to hold the 1969 Games in Port Moresby.

He said this invitation was not made in defiance of the Assembly but was merely a reiteration of an in vitation made in Suva in 1963, at the conclusion of the first Games.

The New Guinea association had full authority to do this, he said, as only it was responsible for invitations.

Invitation

“The invitation has been issued on the understanding that the Admini stration will not have to find the astronomical figures put to the House of Assembly,” said Dr. Gunther.

“The association has a strong and active committee examining the whole position. It is hoped that before the next meeting of the House facts can be presented which will show that the association was justified in going ahead with its invitation.

“If, however, it is found that when the Games Council meets in Noumea in December this year that the Games will cost such a great deal of money that it is unlikely it can be raised, then P-NG must regretfully withdraw its invitation.”

Dr. Gunther said that until the facts could be placed before the As sembly in December it was hoped that members would not pre-judge the issue, as it “is sincerely thought

we can prevent the people of the South Pacific losing respect for the ability of P-NG to maintain the South Pacific Games as a competi tive meeting of great regional significance.”

Dr. Gunther’s decision to renew the invitation despite the Assembly’s view was typical of his approach to problems. He wholeheartedly be lieves that Port Moresby should stage the Games and he felt that by renew ing the invitation he would gain time from Noumea to work out a solution by December.

He is out on a limb, and it has taken courage to make this stand.

But obviously he and his association believe it is in the best interests of the territory. They are appalled at the possible loss of face should New

Guinea really have to cancel at this eleventh hour.

In his October 17 statement Dr.

Gunther presented some of the facts which his association is now con sidering in its bid to save the Games for New Guinea.

Dr. Gunther said the figures quoted by the Administration in the As sembly were based on an ideal optimum plan, without alternatives.

A large area at Konedobu, Port Moresby, was already being prepared for playing fields and could well be used for the Games without significant cost. Housing to be built for other purposes could also be used for the Games.

Dr. Gunther added, “The P-NG Games Association, as the organising body for the Games in this territory, believes that the Games can be staged here, if necessary without expense to the Administration”.

8,000 Expected In Noumea

Meanwhile, preparations have been intensifying for the Second Games in Noumea from December 8 to 18.

The organisers of the Games re cently drew the attention of the New Caledonian authorities to the ques tion of food supplies needed during the Games.

They have pointed out that, besides about 1,300 athletes and officials, some 2,000 tourists are expected in Noumea for the Games, plus a num ber of New Caledonians from the country districts.

Naval vessels from the French fleet in Tahiti may also come, bring ing the number of visitors to about 8,000.

Some food for the Games athletes — yams, taro and sweet potatoes— has already begun to arrive in Noumea from the country districts; while a number of commercial houses in Australia and New Zealand have given other foodstuffs, including dairy produce.

Two New Zealand cyclists are to help prepare French Polynesia’s cycling team for the Games.

The cyclists will be supplied by the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Asso ciation. They will leave for Tahiti in mid-November.

Several athletes in the Solomon Islands have shown good form re cently.

At an Amateur Athletic Associa ion meeting in Honiara, two athletes established new local records, and wo set new personal best perform mces.

One record-breaker was David 3ale, who did the 110 metres hurdles

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in 16 seconds—o. 2 of a record faster than his, and the, previous best. The other was pole-vaulter I. Willing, of Maravovo, Guadalcanal, who cleared 10 ft 6 in. This was 4\ in. better than the previous BSIP record and equal to the South Pacific Games record.

GEIC Team

The Gilbert & Ellice Islands Colony team, announced on October 22, includes one 15-year-old, and one 16-year-old. Average age of the team excluding basketballers, is 18.

As tipped in October PIM, no women were selected. The entire team is “local” and does not include any expatriates.

Only three members of the team represented the Colony at the first Games in 1963.

Most of the athletes will be com peting in more than one event and in the following complete GEIC list the first event mentioned for each competitor is that athlete’s specialty: TABLE TENNIS: Kokea Malua

(competed at Suva); Vaaia Lafiti, aged 16; Lomitusi Lameko (com peted at Suva); Borerei Uriam, aged 15.

TENNIS: Wiram Tarawa (com peted at Suva); Robati Smith; Atanimane Neti.

ATHLETICS: Kiali Neinei, 800 m., 1,500 m., triple jump; Falailiva Tafaki, long jump, triple jump, 200 m.; Tion Rota, 1,500 m., 800 m., 5,000 m.; Solomona lelemia (from Ocean Island), high jump; Pulu Poutongo (from Nauru), pole vault.

BASKETBALL: Tewa Rabangaki (and discus); Maketi Faniu; Tiaapa Manapa; Kalanise Fomai; Tauriamten (and discus); Kelisiano Talake; Uelese Malanga; Paul Tatireta; Tesio Mafoa; Semi Bob; Mesako Toma.

West Samoa's Position

Western Samoa’s sportsmen and women in October were training, and arguing over team selections, with greater enthusiasm than ever.

The Samoan contingent will probably number between 32-35, made up of tennis, women’s basket

ball, boxing, athletics, weightlifting and table tennis.

Officials are counting on a gold medal in weightlifting, a possible gold medal in women’s basketball, as the team is reportedly even stronger than that which just missed winning at the first Games; and several possible gold medals in athletics (in the 5,000 and 10,000 metre events and 110 m. hurdles). Local athletes have lately been returning times better than the winning times in these events at the last Games.

In Apia they say boxers have every chance of collecting a medal or two, and that the men’s tennis, with any luck, could conceivably collect a bronze medal.

Teams so far named are: TENNIS: M. Westerlund, D.

Betham, L. Purcell, R. Rankin, J.

Loi On, H. Betham and T. Faaiuaso, with R. H. Carruthers as manager.

Women’S Basketball:

Sialafua Skipps. Molly Johnston, Petimara Petaia, Alice Carter, Siniva Tu’u’au, Eliza, Veronika, Faamua, Malama, Hunkin, Dawn Rasmussen, with To’oto’o Pulotu as coach.

WEIGHTLIFTING: Curtis Wall work, Paul Wallwork, Pasefika Bernard and Peko Seuli.