Sir John Guise Stadium

​Over 20,000 took part in Fun Run

Men, women, children and some with their pets, flocked in to the Sir John Guise Stadium as early as 2am to prepare for the event.

By 6am, a sea of yellow had engulfed the roads of Port Moresby as city residents walked, jogged and ran the five kilometre route, crossing the finishing line back at the stadium.

Secretary General of the PNG Olympic Committee, Auvita Rapilla, said the turnout at this morning’s Fun Run was overwhelming.

“It’s probably the biggest turnout we’ve ever had. From start to the finish, the whole route was packed with a sea of yellow.

K40m outstanding for Hubert Murray Stadium

Funding for the stadium is from a Public Private Partnership of K120 million through the National Government and Curtain Brothers.

Sports Minister Justin Tkachenko said the outstanding K40m is the Government’s component of making sure that stadium is complete.

The Government is now working with different companies to get them to sponsor the finishing product of the stadium under a tax credit scheme.

Tkachenko revealed that the country is going through a tight economic situation and at this point stadiums are not something that is prioritised to be built or funded.

Hockey pavilion leased to federation

The Port Moresby Hockey Pavilion at the Sir John Guise stadium was officially leased to Hockey Federation as the third facility leased out by PNG Sports Foundation. This comes after the PNG Football Stadium and the Bava Park for rugby and rugby touch.

The lease granted is for a year between December 1, 2016, and December 1, 2017.

This will then follow with a 2-year lease alongside a successful 1-year agreement.

President of PNG Hockey, Kaluwin Potuan, thanked the Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko and the Sports Federation for the lease.

Women take ownership of city

That’s because mothers from various settlements in Port Moresby have taken ownership to clean this area throughout the FIFA U-20 cup period.

The women are actually part of the NCD Active City Programs - Walk for Life and Yoga for Life and according to NCD Governor Powes Parkop, have been doing community clean up in their respective settlements for nearly two months now.

This morning, Loop PNG caught up with at least 15 mothers from the Eight Mile settlement who were picking rubbish along the footpath outside Meat Haus and ANZ Bank, near the traffic lights.

Various road access to be closed for FIFA matches

With the FIFIA U20 World Cup set in the city, NCD managements has authorised for several roads to be  closed in the city to allow free access for teams to move into the field of play on match days.

All access roads will be closed two days prior to match day and control for safety and security of pedestrian and traffic near the four venues set for FIFA U20 matches; Sir John Guise Stadium, PNG Football Stadium, National Football Stadium and Bava Mini stadium.

FIFA security checks get under way for games

The Dog Unit as well as a team of officers specialising in bombs and explosives started off search at the Sir John Guise Stadium splitting up into small search parties to do a thorough search of the gaming venue.

RPNGC Officer in Charge Dog Unit Commander Leuth Nidung told Loop PNG this afternoon that they were also at the international Airport early this morning to do clearance checks.

The team from Venezuela arrived this morning.

Combined disciplinary forces undergo Search course training

This is the start of a three week series of courses being run to prepare the PNGDF combined with the Police and the Correction Service to be able to conduct the task of search of any major event that the country will conduct in the future.

Under the Joint Task Force- APEC Security, Defence Corporation Program Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Paine says this week was basic of search course training  and next week will be a series of training activities that will see the trainees to be team leaders to lead a small group of men to conduct search.

LOC ramp up operations

4pm yesterday was exactly 50 days to go before the first match between Sweden and Korea DPR kicks-off at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

LOC Chief Executive Officer Seamus Marten said a lot has been happening behind the scenes since the 100 Days countdown early last month.

Sir John Guise stadium set for music extravaganza

The show starts at 6.30pm organised by the National Capital District Commission with gates open at 4.30pm.

The evening will kick off with opening acts yogabatics followed by deejays then a lineup of local singers and bands.

Paramana Strangers will be the first to take the stage followed by Banex Oa, Wakhoo Boys, Coral Springs, Brixiie, Nathan Nakikus, J Lieasi and Dadiigii.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop will then give his keynote address and Independence Day message to the public before international group Black Brothers Band from West Papua takes the stage.

West Papua’s Black Brothers in Pom for Independence concert

The group will be performing on Independence Day at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

Black Brothers are an eclectic band that was the most popular musical group in PNG during the 1980s.

The reggae influences of the Black Brothers influenced various other musical groups in PNG.

The original band was founded by manager Andy Ayamiseba, with members including Hengky Sumanti Miratoneng (vocals, guitar), Benny Bettay (bass), August Rumwaropen (lead guitar, vocals), Stevy Mambor (vocals, drums), Willem Ayamiseba (percussion) and Amri Kahar (trumpet).