Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province

Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in EHP
Photo credit: madNESS photography

The Oil Search Pacific Games Relay travelled to the Highlands for the first time during its journey, landing at Goroka for a welcome by the provincial Administrator, sing sing group, and the famous Asaro Mudmen, who legends describe as causing their enemy to flee in fear when they rose from the Asaro River, covered in mud, and their enemy mistook them for spirits.

The relay was officially started by Oil Search General Manager External Affairs Willie Kupo handed over the baton to Eastern Highlands provincial administrator Solmon Tato at the communities of Massy.

Music, of course, also welcomed the baton, with a live band, comprised of students from the Mt Sion centre for the blind, singing a song specifically composed for the Relay.

The baton then travelled to Massy village, just outside Goroka, for a colourful display of Eastern Highlands welcoming tradition.

The Massy community had decorated the stretch up the hill to their commuity with beautiful tropical flowers and all were dressed in their provincial colours making a bright and colourful sight as varios village elders and representatives ran the baton down the hill.

A village elder then chanted the traditional welcome, calling all tribe members to assemble as the church yard gates opened and villagers flooded onto the ceremonial grounds.

Lands Minister Benny Allan then joined the procession, receiving the baton and lifting it high before handing it over the to the village chief.

Minister Allan thanked Oil Search for sponsoring the Pacific Games Relay, which is providing an opportunity for many to be associated with the games through the relay.

From there the relay proper began around the town including people from all sectors of the Goroka community. Over 25,000 people joined in the fun and excitement as we took over the town centre PNG distance runners Martha Goiye, Skene Kiage, Abel Siune and Sapolai Yao ran the baton up and down Mount Kiss.
The relay was run by Games sponsors, the police and CIS in formation, the Goroka Lahanis, a boy on horseback, church groups, the medical fraternity including members of the Institute of Medical research, families and communities, and lastly by the fire brigade and their big red fire truck.

The relay finished as the rain came down, at the National Sports Institute oval which had hosted the relay partner UNICEF children’s ‘Just play’ initiative during the day with Tura, the games mascot.

The Oil Search Pacific Games relay travels to the PNG Power town of Yonki on Tuesday.