Justin Tkatchenko

It was thanks to Moresby North East MP Labi Amaui who had pledged support last year, but delivered on the promise last night at Lamana Hotel.

The MP was represented his officer Martin Kaupa who handed over the cheque to the Media Pool Competition  executives.

“MP Labi Amaiu had made a commitment as vice minister for Sport to support the Media Pool Competition and I am happy to deliver on the vice minister’s promise,” Kaupa said.

During the launching Tkatchenko urge the players and supporters to make this grand final a trouble free one after a lot of brawls had occurred this year in the local competition finals.

Most local rugby league grand final matches held this year had faced the same issue of violence against referees and supporters, the Digicel Cup, the Koiari Rugby League finals and the recent brawl in Central Province during the Kila Haoda Cup final.

Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko revealed this today in Parliament when responding to WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel on the preparedness of the event.

TKatchenko said the country is ready to host the 16 international teams during the event.

He added that Venezuela and USA will be arriving in the country today and the others will follow soon.

“All the facilities are game ready and will be handed over to the FIFA organizing committee to run the competition at the end of this week.”

Questioning the Minister for Sports and National Events Justin Tkatchenko today in Parliament, Muthuvel asked the Minister to explain how prepared the government is towards the PNG Games.

“What is the preparedness for PNG Games as it is a national event and not a provincial event that’s why it is called PNG Games.

“Considering the national elections next year, what is the assurance that the Government has to implement the PNG Games in West New Britain?” he asked.

This was announced by Minister for Sports, APEC and National Events, Justin Tkatchenko.

“The details are still yet to be concreted, but the whole incentive is there to make it happen,” said Tkatchenko.

He said it was a surprise move by the Argentinean Ambassador to PNG, Hugo Javier, who pitched the idea to Tkatchenko.

The Ambassador said there could space available for up to four talented rugby prospects from PNG in their country.

This was revealed by Minister for Sports, APEC and National Events, Justin Tkatchenko, during a media briefing today.

Tkatchenko said half of the component came from remaining funds from the XV Pacific Games while the National Government put up the remaining balance.

 “The savings from the Pacific Games helped fund a lot of the infrastructure development.”

He further said “we also had a budget of close to over K30 million so that we get the facilities ready on time.”

Tkatchenko, who is also Minister for Sports, APEC & National Events, today handed over cheques worth K549, 000 to Eda Ranu CEO, Henry Mokono, to begin the exercise. Tkatchenko said water connections would continue for other areas in his electorate as well.

“Once we get those projects done, we will then go to Sabama, Dodo Heights, Bundi Camp, and then Kaugeva,” he said. He further said “and the new projects we are looking at and hopefully we can start next year, is Gereka and also Dogura.”

Minister for APEC and National Events Justin TKatchenko told Parliament today that the cost will not be what he mentioned earlier.

“The amount I mentioned this week is not the overall APEC budget but includes cost that are part of the normal government operations.

“Police and military will work on APEC and many of their normal cost are part of the recurrent budget expenditure.

“We will take our border protection to the next level that has been lacking for decades.”

The arguments started when East New Britain Governor Ereman ToBaining Jnr asked Tkatchenko to explain the total cost that will be involved to host the APEC Summit in 2018.

ToBaining raised this concern as ENB will also be cohosting the Summit and wanted a clear understanding about the costs.

This question came at the back of similar questions asked yesterday by the Opposition to the minister but was answered by the Prime Minister in the minister’s absence.

He said PNG has been a member of APEC for more than 25 years and it’s about time the country hosts the summit.

O’Neill was responding to Opposition Leader Don Polye about the costings involved in hosting the event.

Polye said the country is confused as to whether O’Neill is giving an accurate costing or the National Events and APEC Minister, Justin Tkatchenko.

Tkatchenko, earlier on TVWan’s Nau talkback program, said Papua New Guinea will spend K600 million to host the 21 heads of APEC member states in 2018.