Goroka leads medal tally as Unggai Bena step up after day one of Highlands Regional Youth Games

Hosts of the Inaugural Highlands Regional Youth Games, Goroka District stamped its authority on the first day with a total of 10 medals.

The district collected 5 gold medals in the women's 400m, 300m, and 100m race, and the men's 100m javelin and 4x100m relay.

The hosts also picked up 5 silver medals in the 400m and 100m race both for the women's and men's events, respectively.

Unggai Bena also stepped up to the fore as day one of the inaugural HRYG kicked off.

The district bagged a total of 8 medals of which four were gold.

The four golds came from women’s javelin, women’s 4X100m relay, men’s 3000m, and men’s 100m while a silver came from the men’s 4x100m relay.

They also picked three bronze medals in the women’s 400m, and men’s 400m and 100m race.

This has placed them second on the official medal tally after Goroka and 14 other districts in the Highlands region who have registered to participate.

The maiden HRYG is the first ever concept for the region with other Islands, Momase and Southern already having their share of the games.

Alotau hosted for Southern Region in 2022, followed by Momase Region in Madang in 2023 and this year New Guinea Islands hosted their games in Kavieng.

The games in Highland's region mark the full chapter of primary sports being hosted and each region will now go on to host their second Games.

Southern region is touted to host its event in April 2025 in Bereina, Central province while Gazelle will host second NGI RYG.