Trukai Industries Limited has presented PNGOC with another cash injection prior to Birmingham 2022 ©PNGOC

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has secured a big funding boost just days before sending its team here for the Commonwealth Games.

The PNGOC has been presented with PGK344,000 (£81,500/$98,000/€96,000) from Trukai Industries Limited.

The funding comes from the sale of this year’s Trukai Fun Run t-shirts and is part of the company’s annual sponsorship of the PNGOC.

It will be a major lift for Papua New Guinea as 54 athletes look set to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games.

The delegation are due to leave Papua New Guinea on Thursday (July 21) and arrive in Birmingham for the Games, scheduled to open in 10 days' time.

PNGOC President Sir John Dawanincura thanked Trukai Industries for its continued support.

"We are truly grateful for this wonderful partnership fostered over many years despite tough economic times our country has endured, you continue to stand by PNGOC," said Sir John.

"I salute your passion and support and admire your valuable contribution to enabling PNG’s elite sportsmen and women to aspire to greater heights."

Steven Kari claimed weightlifting gold for Papua New Guinea at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images
Steven Kari claimed weightlifting gold for Papua New Guinea at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

Papua New Guinea’s Chef de Mission Michael Henao added: "Trukai have been wonderful supporters of Team PNG over the years and we are truly grateful for that.

"This year, we will be taking a contingent of 54 to these Games and we can assure you that we will be doing the very best for our country to fly our flag amongst other nations within the Commonwealth."

Papua New Guinea is set to compete in its 15th Commonwealth Games since making its first appearance in 1962.

The country will be hoping to build on Gold Coast 2018 where Steven Kari struck gold and Dika Toua and Morea Baru claimed silver medals in weightlifting.

"Trukai Industries has been a great partner of Team PNG and the PNG Olympic Committee for the past 23 years and was happy to continue this partnership again in 2022," said Alan Preston, chief executive of Trukai Industries.

"We are happy to continue our support again, and this year it will be towards supporting Team PNG to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom later this month.

"On behalf of Trukai Industries Ltd, we wish them all the best and every success, as they fly our country’s red, black, and gold colours amongst the 70 plus Commonwealth nations’ who will congregate in one of the biggest sporting festivals of the world from July 28 to August 8."