Oil Search Pacific Games Relay visits villages in Gulf Province

The Oil Search Pacific Games Relay continued on in Gulf Province after a day with many rain delays.

The team woke up in Kerema to almost sunny skies and took the opportunity to take the Baton and Tura to visit the 1,100 enthusiastic children at the Ilakaraeta Primary and Elementary School.

The Interoil sponsored chopper then collected the team and whisked them away to Ihu High School to make up for the visit that was missed the day before.

The Baton was met by the Ihu and Vaialala Hiloi sing sing group who performed a number of songs dancing to their bamboo clacker sticks.

Head teacher passed the Baton on to the head girl and then the top athletes at the school ran a Relay around the school complex before the primary schools of St Anne’s, Oro Koro and Harona joined in, with every student and teacher getting an opportunity to pass the Baton along.

With rain threatening, the team raced away to Miaru Village, where another traditional sing sing group welcomed the team and the Baton hoping that it would inspire the children of the village to sporting excellence.

Deputy provincial administrator, who had accompanied the Baton for most of its journey across the province, formally handed the Baton back to the Oil Search relay team and wished it well for its remaining journey across the country.

From there the relay left Gulf province in convoy back to Port Moresby.

The Oil Search Pacific Games Relay travels to East New Britain Province on Sunday.