Government has no say on funding distribution

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, September 6, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

 

WITH the release of K6.6 million to the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) on Tuesday (September 1), the Minister for Sport Justin Tkatchenko has reiterated that the funds will solely be the responsibility of the PNGOC to distribute to participating athletes in team PNG at the Pacific Games held in July.

He, however, added that it was the government’s wish that the funds given be put to good use in developing the athletes in their various sporting codes.

“It is as per the PNG Olympic Committee- they were in charge of the athletes for the games and they will look after the funding for the games.”

“It is not for the government to get involved in the administration and management of another non-governmental organization.”

“PNG Olympic Committee is a professional organization that has professionals there to administer and manage the funds.”

He added that with the list given, the final audit was done by the PNGOC so the government from the list provided is paying accordingly to what was provided.

“With that the criteria that we have indicated is that this funding that we are giving to the athletes must be for their sports enhancement. Enhance their ability to take them to the next level and that is important,” Tkatchenko added.

“We do not want to see the money spent on playing, or going to the bar, or doing something stupid- we want to see that money spent for the purpose for enhancing their ability that individual to take to the next level.”

“Buying sports equipment, buying new uniforms, getting experts to come and give them more training. That money is to be surrounded and used for the purpose of their sporting abilities.”