PNGOC clarifies selection process of Team PNG to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) clarified the selection process for Team PNG to the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, including athletes and officials, through its independent, policy-based endorsement process, which applies consistently across all sports.

In a media statement, the PNGOC explained that for every athlete and official to wear the Team PNG uniform, the selection must reflect the same published standards, regardless of the sport.

"Every nomination that comes to PNGOC is assessed against the same published standards without exception. That is what protects the integrity of the Team PNG uniform for every athlete who wears it,” PNGOC President Emma Waiwai said.  

"Our job is to give every athlete the best possible team around them, chosen the same way, regardless of sport. That is what happened here, and it is what PNG can expect from every Team PNG selection process.”

The statement affirmed that under the Team PNG officials selection policy, the national federations must nominate their officials and athletes, with PNGOC's independent Justification Committee (JC) assessing each nomination against the policy's published criteria before issuing a decision to endorse or not. 

It clarified that where a nomination is not endorsed, the nominee has a formal right of appeal first to the independent PNG Sports Disputes Tribunal, and if required, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

The PNGOC named the 3x3 basketball side as an example, stating that the head coach's endorsement from April through to final athlete selection in June followed the same process.

“For basketball 3x3, head coach Gavin De La Cruz was endorsed by the JC in April 2026, and the final athlete list was confirmed following review by the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea's Executive Committee in June,” it read. 

“A team manager nomination that did not meet the policy's published criteria went through a full, independent appeal, which was heard and decided on its merits by the PNG Sports Dispute Tribunal.” 

PNGOC confirmed that the team manager function for the Glasgow 2026 campaign will be carried out by an experienced female member of Team PNG's general management team, ensuring the squad travels with full administrative and welfare support. 

Meanwhile, the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games was officiated by His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla last night (July 23rd) at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. The games will run from July 23rd to August 2nd, 2026. 

Photos: Team PNG