Momase Regional Youth Games

Koreta was part of a group of inclusive athletes to participate in an exhibition match in Para-Athletics – a first for the Regional Youth Games edition.

Happily communicating through her guardian, Koreta said, she was excited to be part of the program attending the Regional Youth Games.

On her way to have a first taste of the event, transport became an issue and then came the heavy downpour on her arrival at the event site, but all these did not stop Koreta who persisted in being out there on the pitch.

This is in line with their new policy and motto of “Going Rural to Go Global”. The aim is to identify and develop raw talents that are hidden in the rural areas of the country.

The regional youth games for Momase kicked off yesterday in Madang. This is the second regional game after Milne Bay for Southern Region which was held last year.

Athletes were told that this new pathway will create a platform for hidden talents within the rural areas to be identified.

District teams from each region marched proudly into the Laiwaden Oval in Madang by processions of cultural groups. The participants will take part in soccer, rugby touch, basketball and volleyball. Also included in the games are the para-athletes.

Jason Peter the Miniter for Community Development & Religion, officially gave his keynote address and opened the Games. He said this platform would give an opportunity for participants to be selected and progress further by representing their provinces and the country.

The games will feature four different sporting codes.

These include basketball, soccer, volleyball, and rugby touch. These are commonly played games and will be great for the youths to be involved in familiar sports. Some other sports will be added in the future regional games.

Momase Regional Youth Games has attracted interest from all provinces in the region. Veratau confirmed that he has received reports that most of the districts in the Momase region are gearing up for the event.

On Tuesday June 4, 2023, the official host contract signing took place between the Regional Youth Games Council, Director General for National Youth Development Authority, Joe Itaki and the Momase Regional Youth Games Committee, and Madang Provincial Administrator, Frank Lau.

The games will see participants from East and West Sepik, Morobe and Madang convene in Madang town; a total of 26 districts anticipated to meet at Laiwaden Oval and play four sports codes; Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball and Rugby 9s.

Delegations from the trio partner coalition, the PNG National Youth Development, the PNG Sports Foundation and the Department of Community Development and Religion were excited to host the handover ceremony of the Regional Youth Games Council Flag being handed over to the Mamose Regional Youth Games Committee Chairlady, Nane Tomala.

This biannual event was initially hosted in 2021 in the Southern Region in Milne Bay Province and was supposed to be held in the New Guinea Islands Region, unfortunately due to COVID19 restrictions it was cancelled and shifted to Mamose to host.