PNG Sports Foundation wants a national sports plan developed

 In a very significant and moving ceremony this week, the new PNG Sports Foundation CEO Micah James offered an olive leaf to the National Federations that represented various sports in the country.

James said for too long, sporting entities like PNG Olympic Committee, the National Federations and the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation have been working in isolation despite working in the same industry.

Under his tenure, he wants everyone to work together and form one National Sports Work plan for the development of sports in the country.

As is customary to the Melanesian culture, Mr. James offered a pig to symbolize the reinvigorated relationship with the National Federations and PNGOC and pledged to work together for the betterment of Sports in Papua New Guinea.

Team NBC sports wins another award from SP Brewery

 Papua New Guinea's popular Sports Awards sponsored by SP Brewery was hailed another  success last night.

This is the 32 edition of the SP Sports Awards

The NBC Sports desk received the news team of the year award dedicated to the late senior sports journalist and producer Paul Taumik Jr and late Lisa Pagelio, the executive director news.

In the other categories, sprinter Daniel Baul and veteran weight lifter Dika Toua were crowned as male and female athletes of the year.

Both were recognized for their achievements over the past year.

Other notable recipients of the awards are for Kimbe Pirates -National Performance of the Year Award, PNG Barramundi's as team of the year and Suger Ray Hakena for junior athlete of the year.

The Kimbe Pirates also received the People's Choice Awards.

Sandis Tsaka re-elected PNGRFL Chairman

Sandis Tsaka was re-elected as the Chairman of the PNG Rugby Football League following the Annual General Meeting held at the Lae International Hotel yesterday. 

Sandis Tsaka was voted in for the fourth time as the Chairman of Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League. 

He received 32 votes while his opposing candidate Tony Sipa received 13 votes. 

NBC Sports is awaiting an official statement with details from the PNG Rugby Football League however many supporters of Tsaka have already posted on social media about the successful re-election of Sandis Tsaka.  

In other outcomes of the PNGRFL AGM, Jacob Ivaroa is said to be the new Chairman of the PNGRFL Southern Confederate, ousting former Chairman Gwaibo Mairi who held that post for a long time. 

Sources who attended the AGM stated that Ivaroa won the race with 10 votes while Gwaibo Mairi got 3 votes. 

Hekari United women's team focused

 The Hekari United FC women’s football team are currently in Honiara Solomon Islands gearing up for their first game tomorrow in the second edition of the OFC Women’s Champions League.

Touching down in Honiara on Thursday this week, the Hekari United FC women’s football team are focused to do well in this year’s edition of the OFC Women’s Champion League in Honiara.

Hekari United FC Coach Erickson Komeng told the media in Solomon Islands that the girls are determined this time to win the top prize after finishing as runner ups last year in the inaugural edition of the tournament in Port Moresby.

Coach Komeng said they have prepared well and are looking forward to their first game tomorrow against Tafea FC of Vanuatu.

Their other pool matches later will be against Avatu FC of Cook Islands and Henderson Eels of Solomon Islands.

What's your tip for NRL this season

 A doctor in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province Gerard Saleu says rugby league is like a religion in PNG.

He has been involved with the Lahanis since 1992 and says the number of people watching the game is more than the number of people going to church.

So if anyone is communicating messages to the masses, parking a billboard or raising a placard at the rugby league field would certainly deliver a message.

PNGs avid league followers of the Australian NRL is massive.

Tonight at 7pm they will be glued to TV at their lounge rooms, pubs, streets or crowding Haus Piksas with a small set of TV.

They will cheer.

The Melbourne Storm and Parramata Eels who go head to head tonight to open the season have a damn huge following.

For the Eels its long history and the array of stars who have passed through attracted huge fanfare in the country. 

Peter Sterling is one to name.

Justin Olam from the highland Simbu Province who followed the foot steps of West New Britain and Ulamona sensation Marcus Bai to don the purple jersey of the Melbourne Storm have a huge following as well.

Tonight Olam will not be playing but this will not reduce the fanfare, love and the energy cheering the Storm on from Papua New Guinea.

The Eels played in the Grand Final in 2022 losing to Penrith Panthers while the Storm slipped out of the top four as it battled its injury woes.

With a new captain in Christian Welch, fans in PNG are confident of a Storm successful year and can't wait longer for Olam's return.

The Storm's  next man up mentality and success rate makes it a favourite team among objective punters.

The Storm and Eels tipped to finish among the top four this season.

PNG national women soccer team arrives back from New Zealand

BY PNGFA 

PNGFA Acting General Secretary Dan Kakaraya, on behalf of President John Kapi Natto, has welcomed the PNG WNT from their FIFA Intercontinental Play-off in New Zealand this afternoon at Jackson International Airport. 

He said the country was proud of you for you to have been a great ambassador of football and the country while abroad. 

"The country has been behind you during your match against Panama despite going down 2-0. Everyone was following the game closely on livestreaming on social media, and I can say you did exceptionally well," Mr Kakaraya said.

General Team Manager Deslyn Siniu spoke highly of the girls, saying  that it is a milestone for women football in the country.

'I am proud of the girls, and this is something Women’s football can build on this trip going forward," she said.