PAPUA New Guinea’s four athletes are gearing up to compete in the upcoming Special Olympics Asia-Pacific Badminton competition, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from next Tuesday until Sept 22.
The team comprises two men and two women: Emmanuel Sevara, Azaria Georgina Dimitri Mausen, Martha Ahwong, and Roberto Napoleon. They are currently training under head coach Daniel Wesley and assistant coach Dorna Longbut.
This year’s competition will feature several Asian nations, with PNG proudly standing as the only Pacific country represented.
Coach Longbut said preparations have been progressing well, noting significant improvement in the athletes’ speed and coordination on court.
“Now they do rallies faster than when they first started, and that’s just amazing to see,” she said.
“With the help and motivation from our experienced players, Emmanuel and Martha who have represented PNG in previous years, the two newcomers have shown great progress and confidence.”
The full delegation of eight, including the four athletes, two coaches, a team manager, and a team doctor, will depart Port Moresby for Manila on Sunday before heading to Malaysia.
As part of their build-up, a Badminton Fun Day was hosted last month, bringing together Special Olympics athletes from across the city for friendly matches with the selected team.
The athletes also engaged in friendly competitions with para-athletes to reinforce their training and sharpen their skills.
Badminton PNG, in partnership with Special Olympics, oversees the athlete selection process for international competitions, ensuring inclusive representation and development opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
