Athletes Commission

The PNG Athletes Commission was established in 2000 under the umbrella of the PNGOC as required by the Olympic Charter. The original Athletes Commission was appointed by the PNGOC Executive and the members consisted of former and current athletes who were involved with their sports in some way or another. Each Athletes Commission term lasts for four years with elections coinciding with the Pacific Games.

The current group of Athletes Commission members was elected at the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games and became the fifth group of athletes to represent the views of their fellow elite athletes. With the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson sitting on the executive board of the PNGOC and other AC members involved in the committees of the PNGOC, the AC plays a critical role in ensuring the well-being and performance of PNG’s elite athletes are looked after and provides advice and recommendations from an athlete’s perspective on issues of significance. 

Role and Objectives

The AC advises the PNGOC Executive on all athlete related matters relating to the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Pacific Games and Mini Pacific Games.

In particular, the AC shall:

• Be the recognized entity to represent the views of athletes from all sports affiliated to the PNGOC;
• Participate in the endorsement of National Teams selected to represent Papua New Guinea (PNG) in International Events whether overseas or onshore, through the Justification Committee of the PNGOC;
• Involvement in selection of uniforms for PNG Teams through the Uniform Committee of the PNGOC; and
• Participate in other Committees established by the PNGOC, as required.

Other areas the AC can look into includes: Training and Preparation, Selection Criteria, Counseling, Player Levies, Sports facilities and equipment, Doping and Alcohol, Athlete’s interest and welfare during competition.

AC members will always endeavour to be available to provide advice and support to athletes in their personal capacities.

In order to provide the best possible advice to the PNGOC Executive, the AC wishes to increase awareness of its role among athletes in all sports.  The AC would like athletes to be aware they can approach them on any matters relating to the Olympic movement which they would like raised with the PNGOC Executive and, in particular, on athlete related issues.

The AC encourages all sports to adopt “best practice” models and standards for athlete development.  It will also advise the PNGOC Executive on how athletes can better access opportunities to improve their sporting performances while acknowledging that these matters are generally the responsibility of the National Federations and the National Sports Institute.

The AC plays a role in any nomination and selection disputes or any anti-doping or other disciplinary hearings or tribunals involving athletes in Papua New Guinea, as approved by the PNGOC.

Current Members 2019-2023

Ryan Pini (Swimming)     -     Chair

Lua Rikis (Netball)     -     Deputy Chair

Milton Kisapai (Hockey)

Lois Garena (Volleyball)

Toua Udia  (Weightlifting)

Lorraine Harry -(Weightlifting)

Vagi Henry (Powerlifting)

Judith Meauri  (Swimming)

Nigel Bana (Karate)

Raphaella Baki (Boxing)

Karo Lelai (ONOC AC Chairperson)

Follow PNGAC:
https://www.facebook.com/pngac/

Contact PNGAC:

E-mail: athletescommissionpng@gmail.com