Papua New Guinea weightlifting coach Konio Toua has travelled to the United States to undertake a 17-day international coaching program at the University of Delaware, supported by Olympic Solidarity funding.
The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has selected Toua for the XVII International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP), hosted by the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, from September 17 to October 3, 2026.
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Toua, the younger sister of Olympic weightlifting legend Dika Toua, is a successful 2026 ICECP scholarship recipient.
Together with her sisters Dika and Thelma, the Toua sisters are household names in PNG weightlifting.
Coach Toua currently coaches at club level, mentoring young and developing athletes.
The 17-day program will give her access to international coaching education and a hands-on apprenticeship placement, with PNGOC expecting the knowledge gained to strengthen the sport and athlete development pathway in Papua New Guinea.
“Coach Toua’s selection for ICECP reflects the calibre of coaching talent coming through our federations. We are grateful to Olympic Solidarity and the partnership they have with the University of Delaware to provide these opportunities for our coaches,” Secretary General Desmond Kaviagu said in a statement yesterday.
“Investing in coach development is central to building a sustainable high-performance pathway for sports.”
Toua’s coursework at the University of Delaware covers anti-doping and clean sport education, sport psychology, biomechanics, athlete development and coaching leadership.
She will also undertake an individual coaching project from concept through to evaluation.
From September 28, she will move into a week-long practical apprenticeship placement before returning to Papua New Guinea on October 3.
“Being selected for ICECP is a great honour,” Coach Toua said.
“It gives me the chance to learn from coaches around the world and bring that knowledge home — to expand weightlifting into more provinces, identify young talent, and build a stronger pathway for athletes across the country, regardless of where they live in PNG.”
The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee congratulated Coach Konio Toua on her selection and wished her every success as she completes ICECP XVII and returns home.