Papua New Guinea's Vice-Minister for Sports Wesley Raminai, centre, has visited the PNGOC's office in Port Moresby ©A. Molen/PNGOC

Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) President Sir John Dawanincura and secretary general Auvita Rapilla have met with the country's Vice-Minister for Sports Wesley Raminai as part of his courtesy visit to the body's office in Port Moresby.

Sir John and Rapilla took Raminai on a tour of the office, where he met other senior management and staff of the PNGOC.

They then provided him with a comprehensive brief on the PNGOC.

Among the topics discussed in the meeting were PNGOC's programmes and partnership with the Government and stakeholders.

PNGOC's stakeholders include the Oceania National Olympic Committees, the Association of National Olympic Committees and the International Olympic Committee, as well as its corporate partners and affiliated members.

A presentation was made to Raminai focusing on the structure of the PNGOC and its strategic direction for the period from 2016 to 2020.

It also looked at the future of the teams that will represent Papua New Guinea at the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa's capital Apia and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Sir John and Rapilla went on to outline to Raminai the legacy funds from the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby and PNGOC's budget submission for Gold Coast 2018.

Wesley Raminai, centre, was briefed by Sir John Dawanincura, right, and Auvita Rapilla, left, during his visit ©A. Molen/PNGOC
Wesley Raminai, centre, was briefed by Sir John Dawanincura, right, and Auvita Rapilla, left, during his visit ©A. Molen/PNGOC

They also advised that the PNGOC is in the process of updating its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PNG Sports Foundation.

The MoU outlines the roles and responsibilities of the two sports organisations, their structures and relationship, use of resources and types of programmes, access to facilities and areas of cooperation.

"The Government is an important partner of the PNGOC and we are delighted for the opportunity to meet with the Vice-Minister, and discuss some important issues," Rapilla said.

Among the other items discussed was the PNGOC's ambition to build the "PNG Olympic Haus", which will be a permanent residence for the organisation.

The Olympic Haus is due to feature office space, a resource centre for Member National Federations, a training and learning centre, the Team PNG Olympic Museum and Hall of Fame and an athletes' lounge.

PNGOC is currently looking for land for this project, while the design for the building is being assessed.

Sir John thanked Raminai for taking time to visit the PNGOC office and also extended his appreciation to the Prime Minister and Sports Minister, Peter O’Neill.