City authority supports association to keep youths away from crime

By LARRY ANDREW
THE Lae City Authority presented K10,000 to a new sports association on Monday to help keep youths occupied and away from crime.
When giving the cheque to the Seventh Lunaman Sports Association, authority board member Johnny Ross said changes would not happen alone but required the support of everyone for a better city.
Lae Urban local-level government ward two councillor Demas Michael said the assistance was timely as many youths were doing nothing constructive due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the funds would help the association complete its competition by securing prizes for the winning teams.
“We will register the association to oversee all the sporting activities in the ward,” Michael said.
“We will be working closely with the Lae MP, city authority and the ward to help youths through sports.
“I’m happy with the commitment of our people to form the association.
“We’ll put in place our executives and finalise everything, including the opening of a bank account and completion of Investment Promotion Authority registration, for the interests of everyone in sports.”
The association is headed by Vidlor Artang with the assistance of Baxter Francis and Francis Kosa.
Meanwhile, Artang said the Rosso Cup for the men’s and women’s competitions would run until the first week of December.
“So far, we have 22 men’s and 21 women’s sides, and 16 junior teams each for men and women.
“The women and men are competing in volleyball and nine-a-side touch respectively. The aim of these competitions is to involve youths so we can establish an association.
“With a proper association, we can secure affiliation with the Papua New Guinea Touch Federation and PNG Volleyball Association to participate in sanctioned tournaments.”