The game of cricket will now be able to reach every province within the nation following a sponsorship agreement between Cricket PNG and PNG Air.
During the announcement today, PNG Air sales and marketing manager, Linda Honey, said it was important for the airline to engage and help grow athletes within the country.
The announcement was made at the PNG Air head office at Seven-Mile, Port Moresby, where Honey said the airline will be transporting athletes from the outside provinces to Port Moresby, and vice versa.
She said they anticipate moving around 200,000 young adults to engage and grow in the sport of cricket.
In terms of the payment of airfares, Honey stated it would predominantly be free-of-charge.
“We’re just having a small little gratuity put in for the services because that is taxes that have to be paid to the Government,” Honey explained.
The airline chose to partner with Cricket PNG as they deem the partnership to be worthwhile considering CPNG’s impressive programs and far-reaching influence.
“They’re proactive, they’re engaging the provinces, they’ve got an amazing field where they can train people here, they’ve got experts coming in to teach people.”
Meantime, Cricket PNG CEO, Greg Campbell said the partnership would ensure the game gets bigger, better and stronger in the country.
“That’s in line with our strategic plan to engage with as many PNG young people, girls and boys, men and women to play the wonderful game of cricket and change their lifestyle,” he stated.
“We’re all about getting young people to play the sport and also change their lifestyle.
“When they come into Moresby they’ll be taught nutrition, education and also about sporting and playing cricket.
“I’m so excited we have a domestic airline behind us.”
(National cricket players in a PNG Air ATR aircraft today)
