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.

Dika Toua wins an award

 Dika Toua, Papua New Guinea's weight lifting sensation from Hanuabada in Port Moresby won yet again the Female Athlete of the Year award during the SP Sports Award last night.

The country's Golden Girl won the first 3 Gold Medals for Team PNG at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands last year and she lifted a Games record in the 76 kg Snatch category.

She is ranked first in Oceania, 4th in the Commonwealth and 26th in the World.

 

Ms Toua won a sliver medal at the 2023 Eleiko International Email Tournament in the 55kg category and placing 26th at the 2023 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Her husband Willie Mavara Tamasi and son Paul Arua Gavera received the award on behalf of Dika.

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.

Corporate golf challenge registration open

Registration for the 2024 Prime Ministers Corporat Golf Challenge is open. 

The annual challenge, hosted by the PNG Olympic Committee, is held in Port Moresby and. And raises funds for Team PNG Athletes to attend regional and international sports events. 

This year, the funds raised will go towards Team PNG to the 33rd Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

In 2023, the Port Moresby Challenge raised K200,000 in registration alone. While the Lae Challenge raised K99,000.

Team registration stands at K4,000 for the Port Moresby Challenge, and K3000 for the Lae Challenge. 

Registration for the Port Moresby Challenge closes on Wednesday the 8th of May, and Wednesday the 15th of May for the Lae Challenge. 

The largest fundraiser activity for the PNG Olympic Committee is the Trukai Fun Run set for Sunday the 23rd of June.

PNG Hunters open season with a win

The SP PNG Hunters kicked off their season on a high note with a 36-22 victory over the visiting Wynnum Manly Seagulls side at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.

After 12 minutes of game time, the visitors were first to put points on the scoreboard through centre Conner Broadhurst which the conversion was unsuccessful.  

The home side then fought back with Clement Lama scoring the equaliser.  

Hunters fullback Sonny Wabo earned himself a try assist, after displaying some outstanding footwork to send winger Brandon Nima over the try line, to put the SP-sponsored side in front for the first time in the game.

Despite trailing, the visitors did not give up and led by their skipper Bryce Donovan, the Seagulls bounced back to narrow the score line 12-10 as both sides headed to the sheds for their break.

Coming into the second half, the Hunters forward back displayed solidarity up front which resulted in Weiyah Koi crossing over for a four-pointer.

Interchange Jordon Pat of the Hunters was the next to score, extending the lead for the Paul Aiton coached side.    

Despite the home side leading, the Seagulls did not give up easily and fought back in the last minutes of the game to score two tries which narrowed the score line to 30-22 in favour of the Hunters.

By Solomon Sumb, NBC National Sports

Sepik Pride will be back in 2025 | Allan Bird

 Press Statement 

I welcome the decision by Digicel Cup Board on the Sepik Pride.

The good thing is that this is only a one year suspension so we have 12 months to get our house in order. Consider this a learning experience.

Sometimes we have to be humble and accept correction. We have too many issues that need to be fixed.

First of all, Sepik Pride needs one point of contact between the league and us. We can't have 3 or 4 people communicating with the league management body.

We have to improve governance and everyone needs to know their place in the organization.

I commend all the players, management and sponsors for giving this year their best shot. We have been found insufficient. Let's humble ourselves, rebuild, reorganize and come back better in 2025.

I want to thank the Digicel Cup Board for their decision which I felt was a fair one. Sometimes a child needs discipline. 

Time to get to work. Let's stop crying like babies and build from the ground up.

Sepik Pride excluded from PNG rugby league competition

The PNG National Rugby League Competition ( PNG NRLC) , today confirmed the 12 teams that will be participating in the 2024 season of its flagship competition, the Digicel- ExxonMobil Cup.

Leith Isaac, PNG NRLC General Manager said, “This announcement comes after much deliberation with key stakeholders and by the Board of the PNG NRLC, also with findings from the recent PNG NRLC Club Audits, conducted by the PNGRFL’s High Performance team. ”

“As part of implementation of the NRLC Strategic Plan of which Club Professionalism is a key pillar, the Audit was an initiative carried out to understand the existing franchises challenges and strengths and how information and lessons can be shared across all Clubs in a coordinated manner,” added Issac.

Expressions of interest were received from four other bidding franchise clubs for the upcoming season, including the Waghi Tumbe.

PNG NRLC Board Member, Lorna McPherson confirmed the participation of 11 franchises from the 2023 competition, announcing the exclusion of the Sepik Pride franchise for season 2024 and the return of the Waghi Tumbe. 

“ Like any inclusion of teams to our competition, the due process of EOIs, vetting, and filtering was undertaken for us to reach our decision. The Waghi Tumbe were no 

different, being given their opportunity to bid to return to the competition,” said Isaac.

From the Board’s assessment of the four new bidding franchises, Provisional licenses were granted to Simbu Warriors and Morobe Kandes for 2025, in light of meeting most requirements in their bid application.

For the criteria that were not fulfilled, PNG NRLC will work with them to ensure the criteria are fully satisfied.

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League ( PNGRFL) CEO Stanley Hondina in acknowledging the announcement said

“On behalf of the PNGRFL Board and management, I would like to congratulate Chairman Adrian and his board for the manner of professionalism brought into the game, building systems and processes that can help our game get better. ”

“We are excited to see the connections between the franchises and their respective associates and affiliates in their catchment areas working together - an outcome we 

have always wanted to get for a while. ”

“We also congratulate the 12 successful teams for season 2024 and wish them all the best as they prepare for season 2024.

There will be continued work to support the 12 clubs and the others who weren't successful this time, in getting them to a better place come next season and beyond. This will be through our Community and High-Performance department

Played in Australia cherished in PNG

Whether you like it or not this generation of Papua New Guineans who follow the Australian National Rugby League is deep rooted and very religious.

Times have transitioned and the manner in which this generation adores the game, discuss pre and post match games and indulge in sledging is unbelievable.

Papua New Guinea probably has one of the largest Brisbane Broncos fan group outside of Australia.

The 2023 grand final is a big dance for the PNG Broncos fans who had been missing finals since 2006.

The Panthers though has a few fanatics but the number may have grown a bit, thanks to romance rumours about Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler.

Mary is half Papua New Guinean whose mum is from a native Port Moresby village.

As far as Papua New Guineans are concerned, courting or being romantic with one of them is already marriage and so Nathan Cleary is a PNG inlaw.

And of course there is increase in fanfare and support.

Hekari United women's team finishes second in OFC women's tournament

The Hekari United women's team have settled for second place in the inaugural OFC tournament.

It was an end to a 10-day regional sporting extravaganza in Port Moresby.

NBC reports Hekari defeated Labasa FC from Fiji, two goals to nil on Saturday evening 9th June at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. 

Captain Marie Kaipu secured two goals for the home side in the first half. 

Despite having much possession, Hekari didn't find the net in the second half to extend  their margin. 

Earlier on, AS Academy Féminine from New Caledonia held off Koloale FC, four goals to one, to secure the game, and an undefeated run to claim the inaugural cup in  the OFC  tournament.