Madang

Madang Airstrip Coordinator Ray Romo said the Provincial government funding of K1.5 million this year is not enough to cater for the 55 airstrips in the province.

Romo is calling on newly appointed Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Nixon Duban, Rural Airstrips Authority (RAA) and the local MPs of each district to give funding to cater for the airstrips in their districts.

The Sports Office under the Community Development Department is working around the clock to ensure its all systems go from January 26 to the 29^th.

Provincial Sports Officer Robin Hevesa said the four day tournament will see the six districts compete against each other in various codes.

Districts sports officers have been lodging team numbers in preparation for the tournament.

 “Teams will take part in soccer, volleyball, basketball, karate, kickboxing, dart and touch rugby,” he said.

LLG President Erich Pekah says the people are preparing and looking forward to the event to market their culture, food items and to mingle around with the tourists.

Mr Pekah says with months counting down before the surfing title, he wants the National Tourism Promotion Authority, Madang Tourism Authority and PNG Surfing Association to work with his government and the local people on how they can make this event become a success.

This Surfing Association PNG-World Surf League (WSL) surf tour championship will be held at Tupira in Madang Province.

About 60 athletes are expected to take part in this world event plus 20 WSL staff and the local and international media.

SAPNG president Andrew Abel says that this planned event will have very strong international promotion.

The event will be a live broadcast to the world plus being an international program to distribute globally with focus on SAPNG policies.

Barbara and Delvin Kalenda have taken their four kids on a road trip for the first time on the Highlands Highway to spend the weekend in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

The family however was disappointed when they were forced to turn around after driving for four hours due to a road block at Kompri near Kainantu caused by a fight in the area.

The family, from Manus and Central Province, decided to take a turn onto the highway to Madang Province.

Minister Duban made the announcement in the presence of people gathered to witness the reconciliation ceremony hosted by Aufan community with two wokabaut sawmills, funds for women’s project, youths, church, sports and other activities in the community.

Minister Duban says he has no grudges against the people of Aufan to have involved in the court case which proceeded to a by election.

He says he is ready to help the people of Aufan to bring development to the community.

However, some people of Madang have raised serious issues about what they call the late notice of the games which must include all the districts.

Sumkar District long serving youth and sports advocate Fred Wasim claims that for all the Provincial games, the selection has been biased and based on players in town, especially in soccer, volleyball and basketball codes.

Provincial Police Commander Jacob Singura made this call as police begin their pre-Christmas operations.

He says people must ensure those with criminal intentions are discouraged and those involved must be reported to police.

“We can’t expect police to ensure that Christmas and new year celebrations are safe if we don’t help police by ensuring our people behave,” Singura says.

He said about 300 police men and women will be out in force to ensure Madang peacefully celebrates  the festive season.

No major incidents were reported this week.

Ward 9 councillor Peter Kunou said food security of the Derin people whom he represents is at stake as food gardens are not producing enough to feed households.

"We are having one meal a day rather than two or three meals as usual," Kunou said.

"Usually when a mother returns from the garden, she brings home food that can keep the family going for three to four days."

But now whatever is harvested can feed a family for a day only and women have to go to the garden again for the next day, Kunou said.

They defeated Madang 1-0 in the grand final today at the Lae Football Association Park thanks to a goal from Richard Lote.

It was a replay of last year’s grand final where both teams played for the Cup with Manus finishing on top.

Manus wasted no time scoring 35 minutes into the first half 1-0 through Lote who found the net five metres outside the goal keeper’s box. 

It was a tough encounter as Manus maintained defence preventing Madang from scoring in the second half despite several attempts.