Community service pays off for Alovas

 By JACK AMI

THE Alovas reaped the rewards of their involvement in sports in Pari village and Port Moresby during the 40th Independence anniversary medal presentation at Caritas Techincal School last Thursday.

Papua New Guinea touch football veteran and administrator Ray Alova Sr was surprised to receive a 40th Independence Anniversary medal for his contribution to sports and the community.

The 55-year-old, who started playing the sport in the late 1970s in Port Moresby, is still actively involved with Corporate Touch Port Moresby.

The Aroma Coast man sponsored the Solomon Islands touch team during the 2015 Pacific Games with uniforms and funding.

Before the Pacific Games he helped take a Corporate team to Honiara, Solomon Islands, to establish ties with the touch association there.

Alova has clocked more than 30 years of service as a player, administrator and sponsor and the recognition by the State was a gratifying and humbling moment.

Son Junior Alova has followed his father’s footsteps, helping run volleyball and touch competitions in Pari.

Ray Jr, 25, said his parents (dad Ray Sr and mum Elizabeth) had made it a family tradition to be involved in sport and to help the community.

He praised his parents for their dedication and commitment to sports and for helping influence the lives of many young people over the years.

The Alova family acknowledged the State’s recognition of their tireless efforts for the promoting sports in the community through the Moresby-South MP and Sports Minister Tkatchenko.