Team PNG faces funding crisis ahead of Pacific Mini Games as final levy deadline set

With just days to go before departure, the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee [PNGOC] has issued a final call to National Federations to settle outstanding levy payments for athletes and officials competing in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.

Despite repeated budget submissions to the national government, no funding has been confirmed, forcing the PNGOC to shoulder the financial burden of Team PNG’s preparation and travel. The levy payment deadline has now been extended to 18 June 2025.

Teams that fail to pay the full K2,000 levy per athlete and official by the deadline risk being dropped from the Team PNG contingent, following a resolution passed by the PNGOC Board on 5 June.

“Without confirmation of government support, we’re left to operate within our limited budget. Unfortunately, this means sports that have not paid in full, or at all, may be excluded,” PNGOC President Emma Waiwai said.

“Without confirmation of government support to date, we are left with no choice but to work within the limitations of our own budget,” PNGOC president Emma Waiwai said.

“Unfortunately, this means we may have to drop sports that have not fully paid their levies, made only partial payments, or failed to pay altogether.”

Originally due on 16 May, the levies are critical to covering basic participation costs, which total K10,554.27 per athlete, including airfares, accommodation, meals, transport, medical insurance, and allowances.

The total budget required to send Team PNG to the Games is K4.1 million, but funds raised so far including through the Trukai Fun Run and the Prime Minister’s Corporate Golf Challenge remain insufficient.

Waiwai urged National Federations to take full responsibility and ensure their athletes’ levies are paid.

“Be part of Team PNG’s journey and celebrate our country’s 50th anniversary of independence through successful and memorable performances by our elite athletes at the Pacific Mini Games,” she added.

Chef de Mission Kinivanagi Karo echoed these concerns, warning that failure to send a full team could not only cost PNG its title as reigning Pacific Mini Games champions, but also incur penalties from the Pacific Games Council.

“We aim to top the medal tally again, and I believe our athletes are capable of achieving this with the right support,” Karo said.

Team PNG dominated the last Mini Games in the Northern Marianas in 2022. This year’s event will be held from 29 June to 9 July in Koror, Palau. The final PNG contingent is scheduled to depart Port Moresby on 26 June.

PNGOC is now appealing to corporate sponsors, stakeholders, and the public to come forward with support in the final stretch.