NGCB gives K200,000

THE National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) yesterday took the lead as good corporate sponsor to once again step forward and support the 2009 PNG Games with K200,000 in sponsorship.
NGCB chief executive officer Simon Sanagke said his organisation had come in to support sports in a big way recently including backing the Pacific Cup rugby league tournament scheduled for next month in Port Moresby and also supporting 2015 Pacific Games Bid Committee who were currently lobbying in Raratonga, Cook Islands.
Last week, NGCB rescued Team PNG to Cook Islands at the eleventh hour with a sponsorship of K1.5 million and with all that, he said NGCB was pleased to support the mini Grass Roots Olympics for PNG athletes scheduled for November.
NGCB is using the money generated through the community development fund to support sports in the country.
When accepting the cheque, the chairman of the NCD/Central Host Organising Committee Jack Pidik thanked NGCB for their kind support.
Pidik said he informed NCD Governor Powes Parkop before he left for Cook Islands and was pleased with the support from the Gaming Board.
He appealed to the media to get the message across the country that the HOC were getting there and would be ready for the November Games in Port Moresby.
“It is not easy to organise things like this and PNG Games Council  need a lot of commitment and support from the community, corporate companies and the government,” he said.
Pidik commended Sanagke and the chairman of the NGCB Leonard Louma for supporting the PNG Games.
Meanwhile, 15 centres have confirmed participation in the upcoming PNG Games in Port Moresby.
The centres include  East New Britain, West New Britain, Madang, Western, Oro, Milne Bay, Central, East Sepik, Bougainville, Gulf, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Simbu, NCD and Morobe.
The four centres who had yet to confirmed are Enga, Sandaun, New Ireland and Manus.
HOC chairman Pidik said they had to confirm their participation by this week or they would be axed from the third national games.