The truth is that this role is not unfamiliar to Emma Waiwai, whose career has been deeply involved in sports in her country, Papua New Guinea, for over four decades. She began by representing the nation in basketball during her youth and also served as a sports administrator.

In 2015, the new leader was responsible for the 2015 Pacific Games, which have been acclaimed as the best and most successful in history to date. Such was the success of the management that Waiwai's contribution was recognised by the National Government of Papua New Guinea, with a national medal of recognition, the Order of Logohu (OL).

In short, the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has made history with a decision that will enter the annals of national history, thus bringing great experience and a new perspective to the role. Waiwai's appointment, who held the position of vice president of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and chaired the Gender Equity Commission subcommittee, as the first president took place recently during the 2024 Annual General Assembly held in Port Moresby, the capital of the island nation.

In her acceptance speech, Waiwai expressed her gratitude to the members for their support and confidence and did not hold back in describing her vision for the future of the PNGOC, with the challenges the country faces in sports.

"It is a great challenge for me to be able to work in partnership with the sports foundation and to get businesses to provide sufficient funds to send our athletes abroad," declared the successor to Sir John Dawanincura, who served with distinction for 38 years.

Emma Waiwai, thus, will celebrate the beginning of her tenure by accompanying the athletes of Papua New Guinea to the Paris 2024 Games later this month.