Proceeds from the auction will help fund Papua New Guinea's teams ©Getty Images

An auction in Port Moresby has raised PGK339,600 (£76,000/$95,000/€89,000) for the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC).

The Trukai Fun Run Auction attracted businesses and local residents and saw 4,600 t-shirts sold.

All of the funds will be used to back Papua New Guinea's teams at this year's Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago and Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

The auction was a precursor event to the Trukai Fun Run, which aims to promote healthy living in the country while raising funds at the same time.

This event is jointly run by Trukai Industries and the PNGOC and is due to return on August 20 for the first time in three years, following restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Papua New Guinea is preparing for the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Pacific Games ©Getty Images
Papua New Guinea is preparing for the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Pacific Games ©Getty Images

"Your contributions have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for your commitment towards Team PNG," said PNGOC President Sir John Dawanincura to people at the auction.

"Your generosity is truly inspiring and gives us the motivation to continue our efforts to provide the best possible launchpad for our Team PNG athletes.

"I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Trukai Industries for their unwavering and continued support of the fun run event and our elite athletes.

"Their partnership with the PNGOC over the last 23 years has been instrumental in the growth and development of sports in Papua New Guinea and helping the organisation fund Team PNG's participation in several international multi-sport events."