A newly-constructed basketball court will bring in tremendous benefits for a Kutubu community, thanks to Oil Search, who funded the project at a cost of more than K90,000.
The people of Sisibia enjoy playing basketball like many other communities in the Southern Highlands, so they were delighted when their request to the company for the permanent court was approved under the Oil Search community infrastructure program.
“Apart from obvious health benefits, sport has long played a vital role in leadership and youth development; keeping law and order and stimulating economic growth,” said Gerea Aopi, Oil Search executive general manager for stakeholder engagement.
“One important spin-off benefit of having a proper sports facility is that it will provide an income- generating opportunity for women, particularly as they can set up stalls or a market to sell food and drinks and other wares to spectators during games and major competitions.”
Aopi also commended Maka Investment Corporation (MIC), a local construction company owned by the Sibibia and Kaipu communities that was engaged by Oil Search to build the court.
The basketball court was officially handed over to the community during a small yet significant ceremony on September 13.
Oil Search Kutubu/Moran area supervisor, James Pambori, in his speech encouraged the community, as the custodians, to be responsible and to make good use of the facility which will benefit many people.
He further acknowledged MIC for delivering the project on time, within budget and incident-free under the supervision of Oil Search’s community affairs and projects teams.
MIC representative, Jerry Esiyali, then thanked Oil Search for engaging the local company.
He urged the youth and children of Sisibia Primary School to make use of the basketball court to enhance their skills and go on to become good sports men and women, and one day represent the province in national events such as the PNG Games.
The new court will benefit up to a thousand people, including students from the Sisibia Primary School and the neighbouring villages of Kaipu and Otomo.