High Performance Sport PNG

It was a low key event but one that signifies the immense contribution the facility has made in developing and preparing athletes and coaches from various sporting codes.

Staff of HP Sport PNG gathered to commemorate yesterday, where four years ago, they officially began operations.

The event was attended by Vice Minister for Sports, Wesley Raminai, CEO of the PNG Sports Foundation, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, and HP Director, Aaron Alsop.

They have recognised the value and need for support by formally partnering with HPS PNG to continue their ongoing national programs and preparations through its expertise, programs and services.

After hosting a Champions Workshop early this month, eleven National Federations have formalised their partnership to collaborate in key areas of High Performance, already signing an MOU, with more to follow after completing the formalities by the end of the month.

A second opportunity will be given to those who missed out last year on the first TID program, with another to be conducted on February 17 at the HP Southern Region Centre of Excellence.

Throughout the duration of both programs, there are open opportunities for national coaches to see the Emerging Talent Scholarship awardees in training with the potential to be taken up by National Federations.

This is so they can realise their dream of representing the country at the upcoming 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.

Kamapim Kakana is the brand name of the Emerging Talent Scholarship program initiated and delivered by the HP Sport PNG Talent Pathways team, which identifies talented and committed secondary and tertiary student athletes.

The program was rolled out in late 2016 and involved up to 10 secondary schools, 1,000 students and five partner NGO’s with a focus on Talent Identification & Development (TID) and the holistic development of the next generation of future PNG national athletes.

Dubbed the Kamapim Kakana Tertiary TID team, coordinator Edmond Bannick said it has generated a lot of interest.

“Majority of feedback from students and administrators have been thanking HPS PNG for the initiative in providing the bridge for students to showcase their talents,” said Bannick.

So far, the team has visited the Institute of Business Studies at Six-Mile, International Education Agency – Technical & Further Education – Ela Beach, the University of Papua New Guinea and the International Training Institute at Badili.

Josepha Wailoni, the deputy principal of Saint Joseph’s International Catholic College, was also a satisfied parent after her son Xavier was selected during the ETS program to undergo a 13-week trial to earn a one year sports scholarship with HPS PNG.

Last week, HPS PNG inducted up to 100 teenagers from various schools within NCD on an ETS trial.

Wailoni said the program was very good and it was about time that PNG had such programs to identify and groom talent at a young age to excel in their chosen code.

The Mozzies’ assistant coach, Douglas Lai, was all praises for the High Performance Sport PNG team for providing professional assistance, which is something they have not had before.

“Identifying the injuries…advising them what to be done on the injuries, you know all those kinds of advice coming from HP are professional opinions I’d say.

“They are well educated in the field and what we got out of HP is professional opinion and professional guidance.

“It’s good for the team definitely.

Late last year, seven PNG elite athletes successfully underwent Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery by a visiting team of specialists from Singapore at the Port Moresby General hospital.

After 24 weeks of a challenging recovery journey, the athletes are free from their crutches and embracing life after surgery.

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