Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in Wabag, Enga Province

Today the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay left Surinki Lake for a Relay around Wabag town.

Surinki Lodge owner, Yawaso, spoke of how impressive the Relay event is as it isn’t just the elderly woman or children that have the opportunity to experience the Baton but all the people’s clan and tribe are able to be part of the event.

The Relay in Wabag town was led by Police Commander Wesley and his mobile squad as it wound its way around the town and the colourful street markets.

At Lete Elementary School Commander Wesley, holding the Baton, was overwhelmingly mobbed by 600 kindergarten kids until Tura made his grand appearance and their attention turned to the bigpela kokomo.

The streets were lined with well-wishers who took the opportunity to simply say hello and touch the Baton as the lead car explained its importance as the Relay team drove along.

The Baton stopped at the Games corporate sponsors and with the local rugby league team for photos.

The Relay team then took the baton to the Ende Cultural centre which is beautifully maintained and proudly displays Engan culture, The Ende Cultural centre is used to teach the province’s children the importance of their history and culture.

From there the Relay travelled up 2,900 metres to the provincial border with Western Highlands, dropping in at the schools of Unde primary and Minamb Adventist Primary.

Up at the border the Relay ran into Team Papua New Guinea athletics squad member Mirriam Kutao who has just been selected in the team after competing at the Oceania Championships in Cairns, on the weekend.

The Baton was then taken to Kumul Lodge where it was perched on the bird feeding platform as birds of paradise and other local birds come down to feed around it.

The Relay heads to Mendi Southern Highlands tomorrow.