PAPUA New Guinea medalists during the 2013 IX
Mini Pacific Games were rewarded by the government last week.
The government followed up on its promise last
year when the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko
met the athletes and officials in Port Moresby in congratulating them for winning
the Mini Games with 30 gold medals, 26 silvers and 31 bronzes (a total of 87).
Tahiti came second with 26 golds, 9 silvers and
5 bronze (total of 40) and New Caledonia third with 21, 13 and 9 respectively (a
total of 43).
The PNG government is giving K500,000 (A$235,000)
to the athletes. Each gold medalist will receive K3,000 (A$1,410), those who won
a silver K1,750 (A$822.50) and bronze K1,250 (A$587.50).
Team
PNG’s Chef de Mission, Richard Kassman thanked Sports and Pacific Games
Minister Justin Tkatchenko and the Government, saying the incentive was timely
and it would go towards helping the athletes prepare for other big tournaments
this year leading up to the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
"It
is such a gracious offer from the government and we are very thankful,"
Kassman said.
