Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in Buka, Autonomous Republic of Bougainville

Yesterday the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay ran an early morning relay from Rabaul town to Kokopo along the scenic ocean drive, with over 140 runners, before departing East New Britain for the Autonomous Republic of Bougainville.

The Relay arrived at Buka airport to a traditional welcome with ladies washing the feet of all new arrivals into their province, to the great sounds of one of their large bamboo bands.

Oil Search Ambassador Francis Kabano handed over the Baton to representatives from the newly elected House of Representatives.

The Relay then headed around the island of Buka, with its first stop being the chamber at the House of Representatives where the Vice President, Patrick Nisira spoke of celebrating this gift of the Baton arrival as a symbol of unity.

From there the Baton sped across the island over new roads under construction and through cocoa and coconut plantations to St Pauls Primary at Malasang where all the kids were lined around the oval to touch the Baton.

The schools then kept coming as the Baton was taken to oval after oval for the children of the island to take part in the relay.

The fun also included the UNICEF Just Play day where the team were joined by World Vision mascot Dotty, a bamboo band playing the National Anthem and the children of Hahale primary singing “Imagine’.

The Baton was presented with a ceremonial canoe, on which it was then passed around the performing sing sing groups.

The Baton was then taken on a Relay around town with the games sponsors and community members taking part to run the Baton past the business district, the coconut oil mill and the market and banana boat wharves.

A canoe ride out along the busy and fast tidal Buka Passage to beautiful peaceful Sahano Island, the former centre of administration for the province finished the day.

Today the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay takes the long drive down the island of Bougainville to Buin.

Photo credit: madNess Photography