Papua New Guinea Sports Minister Don Polye confirmed Tuesday that K10 million (US$2.8 million) was paid to Solomon Islands two years ago to help the country with preparations for the upcoming Pacific Games.
And Polye is presenting to Cabinet a K12 million (US$3.4 million) submission for the PNG team to attend the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands; K5 million (US$1.4 million) preparations and K7 million (US$1.9 million) to participate in Honiara.
Furthermore, Polye will be writing to the Solomon Islands government to provide acquittals for the K10 million given to the government to help with their preparations for the Pacific Games.
“It was a commitment we gave to the government and its people, in Solomon Island with the $50 million (US$14 million) which is K10 million, according to our records we have paid these monies two years ago,” Polye said.
“And I am going to write to the Solomon Islands Government to present to us the acquittals for these K10 million, which we gave to them as our support to the hosting of the Pacific Games,” he said.
Polye also said that he would present to the National Executive Council (NEC) soon a Cabinet paper for the PNG team at a cost of K12 million.
“In the 2023 National Budget we did not allocate funding for this.
The PNG Sports Foundation did give a budget of K16 million (US$4.5 million) but we have revised it to K12 million, which is K5 million will go towards preparations and the remaining K7 million will be for the Team PNG participation in Honiara at the Pacific Games,” Polye said.
He also said that he has met with the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and other heads of sporting federations including other authorities.
“I am happy and satisfied with our commitment and communication so far,” Polye said.
SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS
