2017

Vin Diesel named 2017's biggest box office draw

Forbes has put Diesel and The Rock top of its list of the year's top-grossing actors, largely thanks to the success of The Fate of the Furious.

Gadot is in third place after appearing in Wonder Woman and Justice League.

And Emma Watson is fourth - her version of Beauty and the Beast was the year's biggest earner at global box offices.

Johnny Depp is in the top five, one place ahead of his Murder on the Orient Express co-star Daisy Ridley, who has Star Wars: The Last Jedi counting towards her total.

The top five top-grossing actors:

If I'd caught you Lyon, we wouldn't feel this Paine

Sure, the wicketkeeper is part of a team, but he's alone in it.

Like whoever keeps the ships from shore, he's on an island, a small redoubt absorbing a constant tide.

Unnoticed when his job is done, only taking focus when misadventure strikes.

You have to feel for Tim Paine. He didn't ask to be picked. Of course he would be glad.

Of course as a professional he wanted it. But you wonder if there was any part of him that thought, not now. I'm not ready. Some other time.

Fundraiser for Pepes this Saturday

“The key objective is to raise funds to support our national netball team’s participation at its forthcoming international commitments, including the 2017 Pacific Mini Games Vanuatu and the World Cup Qualifier in Auckland, New Zealand, scheduled for April 2018,” said Netball PNG president, Julienne Leka.

“We hope you or your good company can support this worthy cause by registering a 4-member team at K1,500/per team.”

Mona-Lisa Leka can be contacted on 7190 7775 for finer details on registration and other relevant information.

More PNG sporting legends inducted to Hall of Fame

The four, who hail from different disciplines in the sport of athletics, were given the honour for their achievements and contribution to sports in Papua New Guinea.

They were dominant figures in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region in the 1960s to the 1970s era and graced the sporting arena with their brilliance.

Kokinai and Ivaharia have passed on but were represented at the induction ceremony by family members who shared insights on their lives and career.

POM softball starts pre-season games

The pre-season will run for three consecutive weekends at the Bisini Grounds with season proper to begin by mid-November.

President, Tony Daple confirmed there are three new teams that will be playing in the 2017/2018 season.

The teams are- Aviat and Mariners (B Grade division) and Kikila Cats (A Grade division).

The defending champions from last season in the A Grade are PNG Power and United Brothers for B Grade.

Vabukori down Gabagaba in Unified Football final

It was Vabukori’s goal scoring machine, Steven Abraham who played a key role scoring in the 1-0 semi-final win over Wardstrip Primary earlier in the day to book the first spot in the grand final.

Abraham then combined with Rei-Konio Morea to steer their side home to the win over Gabagaba.

18 year old Abraham finished with 13 goals for the 2017 season, winning him the Golden Boot award.

“I was really happy that I helped lead Vabukori go all the way and win the grand final, “said Abraham.

Aussies edge England in Cup opener

The Kangaroos scored three tries to one but England showed they were more than capable of matching their old foe.

While the result didn't go England's way their bigger concern will be the fitness of star forward Sam Burgess, who was sidelined in the first half with a knee injury.

Marum names final 18 for clash with Wales

“A lot of fans will be coming in and also watching back at home. There’s a lot of pressure on us but it’s important we get off to a good start against Wales.

The Kumuls had their final training session this morning at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

“We had the final session with the captain’s run. The 18 man-squad has been named and they’re looking forward to taking the field tomorrow.

Marum confirmed that vice-captain and five-eighth, Ase Boas will take the field tomorrow.

“Ase finished today’s session and he’s ready to go.

Twilight Basketball to start tonight

Following on from the programs huge success last year and also beginning on this year, the third instalment of Twilight Basketball will once again see the Hoops for Health (H4H) initiative delivered on Friday evenings from 5pm-9pm.

More than 2000 people participated throughout the last two sessions of the program with some Friday night’s drawing crowds of more than 400 players.

The aim of the program is to use basketball as a vehicle to educate young people about non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) and leading active lifestyles.

PNG powerlifters haul in seven medals

World powerlifting icon, Linda Pulsan, led the way winning gold plus taking out the Best Female Lifter Trophy award.

Hitolo Kevau, Kalau Andrew and Livingstone Sikoli also won gold medals for PNG in their weight classes, while Henry Kelo, Martin Titus and Anderson Mangela picked up silver and bronze.

80 lifters from five countries competed at the Brisbane Open, hosted by Powerlifting Australia.

Countries represented included Australia, New Zealand, Nauru, Tuvalu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.