PNG wildcard bid fails for Paralympics, Mopio Jane through

Updated June 18, 2008 11:45:19

Runner Francis Kampoan could be the only Papua New Guinea Paralympian this year, if a second appeal for wildcards fails.

Kampoan qualified on merit in 2006, but Beijing Paralympic organisers have turned down Papua New Guinea's bid for more wild cards, meaning powerlifter, Kupini Lewa and track and field athletes, Jerry Calal and Joyleen Jefferey are likely to be left at home.

PNG Paralympics Games committee chairman Bernard Chan says the next step is to assure better representation at the next games.

"As many as possible, we need to identify junior athletes, send them to our sports facilities in Garoka and more in athletics and powerlifting and a bit more in javelin, you see Papua New Guinea people are naturally strong so we need to take advantage of that factor," Chan said.

Swimmer, Anna-Liza Mopio Jane has been granted a wildcard entry to the Games.

She won through from the Oceania Championships, in New Zealand, earlier this month.

She will compete alongside Ryan Pini.

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