Just Play programme extends to churches

Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
THE PNG Football Association’s Just Play programme is now extending to the churches.
The programme’s four objectives are promoting healthy lifestyles, gender equality, social inclusion among people living with disabilities and child protection.
Just Play operations manager Micah Kaneng believes that bringing the programme across to the churches would result in positive outcomes.
A two-day course was held at the St John’s Primary School in Tokarara, Port Moresby, involving five Sunday school teachers from the United Church.
Just Play volunteers educated the teachers on the programme and how they could apply it in their Sunday school lessons.
Cindy Asi, a participant, was fascinated to be part of the programme when she first heard about it.
Asi said the programme would benefit them in their lessons during church especially when dealing with children and youth.
“First we thought that it was all about getting practical with football but then we found out that within that football programme there are key messages about a healthy diet, gender equality and how to respect and treat someone with a disability,” Asi said.
“We teach the Lord’s work in Sunday school but we understand that the messages in the Just Play programme complements the principles we teach.”
Kaneng was pleased to see the programme accepted among United Church members and plans to bring it to other churches as well.
“We want to implement the programme and now that the United Church is part of it, we believe that other churches will be interested,” he said.
“The programme is beneficial for our children to become better citizens.”
Kaneng welcomes interested churches that wish to be part of the programme to contact him on 79822296, or visit them at their office at the Telikom Rumana building at Waigani.