Motu Koita People Prepare to Receive Games Baton

With under 37 days to go before the Opening Ceremony and before the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay Baton returns to the host city Port Moresby, preparation is already underway to receive the Baton on 29 June 2015.
The Motu Koita people are all gearing up in building the famous traditional canoe lagatoi to welcome the Baton.
The construction for the lagatois in the selected Motu Koita villages are underway and nearly in completion.
The Baton will be received by the Motu Koita villages along the coast. It will be brought into the city from Ela Beach by the lagatois that are being build by the villagers.
Village leader and Lagatoi supervisor, Nau Iru said, The construction of the canoe is going well and we hope to finish it earlier then the set deadline. We appreciate the opportunity that has been given to us as the host Province and we want to make every member of our community part of this Games experience in many ways as possible.’’
He addded, ‘’These Lagatois are purely made from the bush material which is of cultural significance to us and we want other Pacific Islanders to see these when they are here for the Games. We are proud to showcase our culture in so many ways, including our traditional singings, dancings, costums and the Hiri Trade History.’’
The villagers are all excited and gearing up to receive the Baton when it lands in the host Province.
The Iagatois are expected to be completed in ten days on 04th June.