EHP athletes kicked out of Taurama Barracks

The EHP Team have been asked to move out from Taurama Barracks after the PNG Games finished in Port Moresby over the weekend. The Eastern Highland’s athletes were told to pack their bags yesterday (Sunday) and find alternative accommodation around town with relatives and friends.

The irony is that most athletes have no idea when they might be lucky enough to get a seat on a flight back home. I don’t know about any of the other sports but for most of the women in the EHP Hockey team it’s their first time in the Capital.

I spoke with Eli last night and she is fortunate to have a cousin in Port Moresby where she will be staying until a flight back to Goroka (or Lae) is organised. She told me that some of the team had places to stay but most had not yet been able to find accommodation by mid Sunday afternoon.

What are these athletes expected to do? Roam the streets of Port Moresby, one of the most violent cities on the planet, for a week or so or until return flights have been organised?

I know that most of the guys (and gals) from the team would have run out of money by now. What are they supposed to eat and how will they survive? It’s been almost two weeks since any of them have had a half decent meal and a bed to sleep in.

Eli tells me that the team is due to fly out later this week – either Thursday or Friday. My guess is that this time next week there will still be athletes stranded, waiting to get home. And with everyone dispersed around town… how will people know or hear when there flights are finally confirmed?

But ask around and read the tabloids… the Games have been a success!!

Shame, shame and double shame!!

Credit does need to go to the EHP Community in Port Moresby that gathered around their sporting wantoks last week and contributed by way of rice, noodles, boxes of chicken, several pigs and some cash. Onya apo’s!!