Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in Manus Province

Today the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay travelled to the islands region and spent the day in Manus.

The team arrived at Momote Airport on the island of Los Negros to be welcomed by the Deputy Governor, John Pomat, and the islands’ traditional dancing girls stamping to the beat of the large Manusian garamuts.

The Manus team then embarked on a lengthy running Relay around the island of Los Negros and over the Loniu Bridge and then onto Manus Island and into the town of Lorengau.

Hundreds of runners took part in the Relay representing the villages and districts that the relay passed through and included masses of small children dressed in their BSP green and taking their turn at carrying the Baton.

The Baton was then taken over the Lolak Bridge by a youth made up as a skeleton dancer who created quite a stir with his gyrating performance.

The Relay ran passed untouched beaches and an ocean so clear that, on landing, the team could see down the fringing reef to the depths below.

The Relay then headed into Lorengau town passing numerous schools where the kids lined the fences to cheer the Relay on.

The town market stopped to watch just as the rain came pelting down and the team had to rush for cover and shorten the final legs.

In island fashion the rain was brief and cleared before the Baton was taken by traditional M’buke, a one hull outrigger canoe, around the Bay and out to Pityluh Island. The canoe left the beach with the Baton, the sing sing group and the large garamuts so that they could dance their way across the Bay.

Tomorrow the Relay will visit some of the schools that missed out today due to the early afternoon rain and before heading to New Ireland.