PNG Games

"The Games will cost quite a fair bit of money but I think it’s a money well spent,” the minister said.

Polye confirmed that preparation for accommodation has begun. Classroom buildings are undergoing maintenance and should be ready to accommodate the athletes before the games begin.

"Those places where the games will be played, we are now beginning to commence the work of upgrading classrooms and other facilities there," said Polye. 

If the money promised by the national government to complete the game's infrastructure is not made available on time, the province may consider cancelling the event.

Southern Highlands Governor, William Powi told members of the provincial assembly in Mendi this week that the national government promised to make K150 Million available to complete infrastructure for the games and must release these funds at the earliest.

There were two other provinces also in the race, Oro and Eastern Highlands.

Twenty-two provinces that form the Games Council voted in the bid with the majority favouring East Sepik. Oro who finished second will now host the 10^th edition of the Games in 2032.

There was a space of joy and jubilation in the room when the East Sepik Bid Team was announced and declared winners to host the 9^th PNG Games in 2028, 4 years from now.

He said bringing the games to be hosted in Mendi will bring Papua New Guineans from other regions to see and experience the most central part of the country.  

Marape says the PNG Games is one of the top four events of 2024, apart from youth mobilization activities, the national census, and the local-level government elections.

“The idea in Mendi is simple. In what is perceived the hardest place in our country, we want the entire nation to see their own country, especially the younger generation. Those who will be playing in the sports, are young Papua New Guineans.”

This event will take place on August 25th at the Dynasty Restaurant, will serve as an exciting build-up towards the upcoming Games. 

The Team Gulf Corporate Dinner aims to bring together reputed companies, entrepreneurs, and professionals, creating an environment of networking and collaboration. 

At a recent media conference, Chairman of the main host organising committee, Sape Molumi, revealed that construction work on the main stadium for the track and field events is now in progress, including facilities for the other team sports.

Despite the negative publicities and the sequence of events that had occurred earlier this year, Mendi and Southern Highlands as a whole is ready to welcome visiting provincial teams to the games once the PNG Games Council gives a thumbs up.

The research also identified a range of constraints including limited access to clean toilets; ongoing water shortages; limited availability of soap for handwashing; an absence of facilities for women and adolescent girls to manage menstruation; and lack of accessible facilities for use by people with disabilities.

The findings will be launched on February 8^th, and will inform the PNG Sports Foundation’s current review of the national sports policy.

This was the assurance given by the NCDC Urban Safety Director, Paul Komboi who explains that they can do arrests and even attend court should the situation arise.

Komboi says that these personnel are duty officers on secondment from their stations hence they can be used to assist in with normal police work and duties.

“They can help by attending to complaints and help prevent or deter crime in and around the main game venues and locations”, he said.

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop confirmed that the athletes’ flights have been booked and are ready.

He said the almost one year wait is now nearing an end adding that officials have secured their accommodation in a local school in West New Britain.

“The team is ready to go and prove that they are champions in their different sporting codes.”

Parkop is confident that the team will make NCD proud and bring back home the title in this year 7th PNG Games 2017.