From Bouganville to Kansas. Overseas travel was the last thing on the minds of Alphonse Igish and Jonathan Dendewhen they left their homes on Bouganville in February 2020 for the National Sports Institute in Goroka as part of the first intake for the revived Athlete Development Programme. Buin Secondary student Dende had been identified at the 2018 Inter high school carnival attended by NSI staff and was invited to a Camp at Hutjena later that year. Igish who had graduated from Hutjena Secondary a year earlier and was playing rugby also attended the Camp. The pair caught the attention of Athletics Coach Samu Sasama who recommended further training for them in Goroka.
“The boys were just happy to be able to come to Goroka for training and further their education by upgrading their marks through the DODL programme “said Director Janet Gimots yesterday. “It was only when Tony Green suggested after the Grand Prix in Moresby this year that we send them to the USA that we considered this idea and the boys were naturally very excited” added Gimots. With pledges of support from Regional Member for Bouganville Peter Tsiamalili Jnr and Minister Timothy Masiu things moved quickly. In fact the Regional Member added that Bouganville is looking to send more athletes in partnership with Athletics PNG.
Green said he was impressed with the progress made by the two athletes this year, especially Jonathan who ran an excellent 400m in Port Moresby this year, clocking 48.74 seconds. We know Alphonse was hindered by an injury in 2020 but at this years Grand Prix in Moresby he was right on the tail of Emmanuel Anis in both the 100m and 200m. Having these three athletes joining Leroy Kamau in the USA is going to be very good for our 4*100m relay.
Cloud County Community College offers two year programmes, following which many students transfer to Universities to pursue a degree programme. The athletes will compete for Cloud in the Junior College track and field programme for two seasons (2022 and 2023) and with the Pacific Games coming up in November 2023 these athletes will be well placed to make the team.
President Green thanked Minister Masiu and the Regional Member Mr Tsiamalili for their support and encouraged other Provinces to support their talented athletes in this way. With six other National squad members already at Cloud there will be a big welcolm for the athletes and plenty of support as they adjust to life in the USA
