Pini: athletes need more opportunities overseas to boost medal winning chances in international games

Former Olympian and Team PNG Chef de Mission to Paris 2024 Olympic Games Ryan Pini says Papua New Guinean athletes can do better on the world stage if they are given constant opportunities abroad.

Pini said PNG athletes are capable of producing optimistic results in global sporting events such as the Olympics if they are provided better funding support and trained in world-class facilities.

He said establishing a robust support system for athletes to continuously compete in high-quality competitions would broaden their capabilities to compete at any international sport tournament.

“I think a lot of our athletes here, we're competing against the world, but we're really at a base level, and I know we can do a lot better given the right opportunities,” Pini said.

“A lot of that does come down to funding and that support at the ground. An Olympic medal is extremely tough, but I believe that we can do it. We have very talented athletes here.

“For me, what I've always said is, yes, funding is important, but you need the right environment. It's really, really tough in Papua New Guinea, just the transport system, the level of competition.

“What you need as a top-level athlete, if you want to be winning medals, you need to be travelling the circuit, which means travelling all around the world constantly.

“It gets very expensive. It can be quite lonely as an athlete, so you need a really good support system, your national federation, your family, your coaches, your managers, all your physios and strength and conditioning.”

Pini led a group of 7 athletes to Paris of whom five were all first-timers in the Olympic arena. The team arrived today and were welcomed by PNG Olympic Committee, families, friends and members of the media.

PNG’s Olympic quest started with boxing champion John Ume [second time Olympian] who was the first to compete followed by swimmers Josh Tarere and Georgia-Leigh Vele.

Commonwealth weightlifting silver medalist Morea Baru [third Olympics appearance] and athletics sensation Leonie Beu followed through before taekwondo duo Kevin Kassman and Gibson Mara concluded Team PNG’s participation at the Olympics.

All debutants fell short of claiming medals but produced encouraging results that looks to be improved in the next Olympic event in Los Angeles.

“It's pretty tough to expect anything more. I think our athletes did a really good job,” Pini told the media.

“All new athletes, all new Olympians [5 debutants]. We get to call them Olympians now. They're all very proud of this. Speaking to the athletes afterwards, they already have their eyes set on LA 2028.”