The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee has announced that five "legendary athletes" will be inducted into the PNG Sports Hall of Fame later this month ©PNGOC

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has announced that five "legendary athletes" will be inducted into the PNG Sports Hall of Fame later this month.

Names of the five athletes have not been revealed as of yet, but it has been confirmed they come from the sports of athletics, boxing, swimming and weightlifting.

The induction ceremony is due to be held on November 26 at the Gateway Hotel in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby.

It will be the second ceremony of its kind, with the PNGOC set to hold inductions annually to honour all former PNG athletes and officials who have made a significant contribution to sports through their achievements over the years.

"PNGOC holds the achievements of our athletes in high regard because we understand the struggles, commitment and sacrifices they faced to get to where they are," said PNGOC secretary general Auvita Rapilla.

"These achievements shape the sporting history of our country and we recognise this by honouring the individuals who have done it over a period."

The first Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held in 2011 as part of PNGOC’s 50-year anniversary commemoration.

The first two inducted then were Sir John Kaputin and Edward Laboran, members of the first team from the Territory of Papua and New Guinea to the British Empire Games - now known as the Commonwealth Games - in the Australian city of Perth in 1962.

Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee secretary general Auvita Rapilla briefs the media about the Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Port Moresby on November 26 ©PNGOC
Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee secretary general Auvita Rapilla briefs the media about the Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Port Moresby on November 26 ©PNGOC

Sir John is considered an inspirational figure in athletics and was one of the first nationals to compete for his country among expatriates.

Laboran, meanwhile, was Papua New Guinea’s first medallist at the inaugural South Pacific Games in Fiji’s capital Suva in 1963, winning the gold medal in the high jump event.

Sir John shares a lot of memories and experiences of the early years of sports in Papua New Guinea and will be the guest speaker at this year’s Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which is due to be televised live on NBC TV.

"We are delighted and honoured to have Sir John Kaputin, one of our first Hall of Fame inductees, to be the guest speaker at the event this year and we look forward to seeing the five new inductees who will be joining them as PNG’s sporting legends," Rapilla added.

The Sports Hall of Fame aims to capture the best moments of great sportsmen and women’s careers and "immortalise them in a recognition that will echo through the ages".

Following a set criteria, notable athletes going back to the very first team in 1962 will be inducted every year.