on Games security

PNG reassurance on Games security

PAPUA New Guinea has again re assured Pacific Islands countries of the security arrangements at the South Pacific Games in Port Moresby and Lae in September next year.

Leader of a two-member team from the Papua New Guinea South Pacific Games, Andrew Waho, said on a tour of the Pacific that despite the country’s law and order problems, athletes attending the games will be well protected.

Waho said all participating countries are worried about the security of their athletes. He said the games villages will be guarded 24 hours a day by soldiers and police officers. All venues in Port Moresby and Lae will be guarded during

competition. Security will be provided

by 1200 police officers and 500 soldiers.

Cooks want expatriates THE Cook Islands Rugby Union have decided to invite New Zealand-based Cook Islands players to join the national squad for international matches. The move follows a decision to accept an invitation for the national team to play

in a sevens tournament in Apia next month. The tournament is being organ ised by Apia’s Marist Club which will pay all the expenses for the Cook Islands team. □ Olympic bid FRENCH Polynesia is seeking member ship of the International Olympic Com mittee (IOC). Sports Minister Napoleon Spitz said that although French Poly nesia is a French territory, it now has five national sports federations, qualifying it for an application to join the lOC. He said he has been encouraged by lOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch. □