PM's tribute to rugby league legend, jumper selected as PNG flagbearer, and athletes dedicate medals to Tongan people
Try-scorer Mead hailed as national unifier
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape says outgoing Papua New Guinea skipper David Mead has inspired a generation of future Kumuls following a fairytale finish to the veteran's representative career.
Playing his 15th and final Test match, Mead scored a try in the Kumuls' 24-14 win over the Fiji Bati in Sydney on Saturday night.
PNG Kumuls captain David Mead. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The National reports Mr Marape as saying the PNG celebrated as one country, one nation and one people as Mead scored his try.
Mead was also the Kumuls' captain for the 2017 World Cup.
In the curtainraiser match, Samoa defeated the Cook Islands 42-12.
Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma scored four tries as Samoa burst out of the blocks with four tries in the opening 20 minutes.
Kaputin to lead PNG at Games opening ceremony
Papua New Guinea's national jump record holder Rellie Kaputin has been selected as her country's flagbearer for the opening ceremony at the Commonwealth Games which starts on July 25.
The 29-year-old says it's an honour to lead the team out in Birmingham.
Kaputin is the national record holder in the high, long and triple jumps.
At the recent Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Marianas, she won a gold medal and two silvers.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast Kapitin missed a place in the long jump final by one place.
She sustained serious injuries several years ago but recovered in time to qualify for Olympic games in Tokyo last year to become PNG's 66th Olympian.
Dedication to Tongan people
Three-time gold medal winner in weightlifting, Uaealesi Funaki, and tennis bronze medalists Ana Taminika and Ela Vakaukamea are dedicating their success in the recent Pacific Mini Games to the people of Tonga following the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Funaki says the Tongan people have been through a lot and he is proud to have done something they can cheer about.
The 24-year-old swept the 96-kg class with three gold medals.
Funaki also expressed his fondness of the host the Northern Marianas and how good they were treated during their stay in Saipan.
In all, Tonga finished 10th in the medal tally with four gold and three bronze medals.
