Games baton relay touching all Papua New Guineans

MT MODAWA – The baton relay for the Pacific Games was this week handed on by the Chieftain of the Mountain men from Mt Modawa to a man from the Higiva cult, locally respected for their monk-like traditions who choose to wear no clothing.

Subsequently there were no photos as the Oil Search Pacific Games Relay went island hopping through the remote D’entrecasteaux Islands of Milne Bay.

The relay left the flat island of Kiriwina for the mountainous Goodenough Island where the schools of Peter Torot Community and Santa Maria Secondary ran the baton through Wataluma Mission.

A press statement reported a visit to Bolobolu Station where a welcome provided gifts of yams so large the team struggled to get them on the helicopter.

The district president spoke of how the Bbaton’s arrival was an omen and that after 40 years the rest of Papua New Guinea had not forgotten them.

The Oil Search Pacific Games Relay is engaging all Papua New Guineans over the 100 days the baton will travel across the nation to each of the 22 provinces – using modern and traditional methods of transport, finishing its journey at the Opening Ceremony, in Port Moresby, on July 4.