Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in New Ireland Province
The first stop of the day was the primary and elementary school at Pombruk in Lorengau having missed them the day before following heavy rain. The kids had lined up in the rain for over an hour and the team was unable to turn up so today popped in to surprise them on the way to the airport.
The kids heard the sirens and horns and raced outside to catch a glimpse of the Baton. English teacher Agnes Posilih laughed as she showed the Relay team the chalk still in her hand – saying the kids just disappeared during their spelling lesson.
The team were met on arrival into Kavieng by the traditional MaiMai elders who greeted Oil Search representative Leon Buskins and Relay managers Tamzin Wardley and Fiona Speedy, welcoming all as part of their tribe.
The Relay then kicked off at the airport, initiated by Governor Julius Chan. MP Ben Micah accepted the baton before it was handed on to thousands of school children who were lined up along the airport road and in to town.
The Relay was run in incredibly hot conditions and slowed to a walk but was still enjoyed by over 10,000 people.
Runners included the Bishop of Kavieng, ward councillors, teachers, business people, BSP and Telikom staff, and even a real Kokomo, called Tura, after our own. Tura took no persuading to jump on to the Baton and was not very keen to pass it on.
The Relay was run by young and old with the eldest participant to hold the Baton, a 110 year old lady named Saping who allowed the Baton to pass on to her land area.
The Relay finished with a visit through the Kavieng hospital for staff and patients to enjoy before taking a trip across the water back to Malangan escorted by the MaiMai elders and their youth singing their way across the bay.
Tomorrow the Relay heads down the island to Namatanai.
Photo credit: madNess Photography
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