Whilst the local media continues to paint a glamorous picture of the 2009 PNG Games currently under-way in Port Moresby, the athletes from the Eastern Highlands Team continue to go without adequate food and support facilities.
How do I know? I’m in regular contact with Eli who is on the Women’s Hockey Team representing the Province and is currently based out at Taurama Barracks with the rest of the Eastern Highlands sporting contingent.
It is now five days (more for some) since any of the EHP athletes have received a proper meal after departing Goroka early to middle of last week. Yesterday several EHP athletes fainted during their events due to lack of sustenance. In addition there’s cases of diarrhoea being reported – more than likely due to the poor water supply at Taurama Barracks.
I have also been told that when the athletes finally did board the plane at Nabzab in Lae, they were joined at the last minute by intoxicated EHP team officials who had been “living it up” in Lae whilst waiting for their flights.
To make matters worse – scuffles are sporadically breaking out in the EHP camp due to disgruntled players being told that there is no money left to buy food and individuals are basically having to fend for themselves.
This situation is an absolute shambles and I will continue to report on the debacle until a concerted effort is made to remedy the shortage of food and water. The least these young men and women deserve is to be treated and looked after with a minimum level of human dignity.
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The games should have been hosted in a city/town linked to Okuk highway.
reason being, (fresh) food would have been cheaper and
transport cost for majority of the players would be cheaper.
As well whats wrong with a center outside of POM getting its sporting facilities a new face lift or better still building them if they non-existent.
What is the criteria to meet for hosting the games?
this is total let down for the players. All the best with games olgeta Ayafa na Arinta, but we understand if you cant perform to your maximum ability.
Weast
Hi Weast,
Good thinking! Although it’s really only Moresby (or perhaps Lae) that have the facilities to host an event of this size.
Things seem to have settled down for the EHP Team @ POM and I hear that the food situation seems to be getting better.
R
Just got of the phone to Eli. Although the food situation is far from perfect the players are now getting rice, cabbage. kaukau and tin fish meals.
Within the last 24 hours members of the EHP community in Port Moresby have rallied behind the team and donated three pigs and several boxes of chickens.
On a more worrying note – the EHP volleyball team just arrived at Taurama Barracks after leaving Goroka early last Wednesday morning.
So far the Hockey team have played two games: Manus and Central. On both occasions the Eastern Highlanders losing 2-0.
Eli certainly sounded more positive than a couple of days ago.
R
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Robert@PNG, Robert@PNG. Robert@PNG said: @malumnalu You aware of the situation at Taurama with EHP Team? Amongst other things they have not been fed in 5d! http://schi.lt/5819 [...]