Couple prepares for 2020 PNG Games in Mendi

By PETER WARI
A FORMER Mendi Muruks player is now the owner of a new hostel in Mendi, Southern Highlands.
The new facility is a result of years of hard work by someone who has had no formal employment and regular savings.
Samuel Pinpin and his wife Diana said during the official opening of the Lower Takere Hostel last Saturday that they were getting themselves prepared for the 2020 PNG Games.
Their venture is also aimed at giving some confidence to other rugby players and youths to have positive mindset to do something for themselves apart from sports.
Pinpin said the 2020 PNG Games would bring tangible developments to the province and the grassroots people especially needed to be prepared for the national event.
Pinpin and his wife used their own money to build the lodge and urged other athletes to have positive mind and work hard to change the province.
“Though there are so many stories about Southern Highlands law and order problems, a little contribution by individuals can help change the mindset of other people and together we can change this province,” Pinpin said.
“The 2020 PNG Games will be a mindset-changing event and every Southern Highlander must embrace it and be prepared, it is an opportunity.”
National Development Bank Mendi branch manager Steven Albert said the bank was ready to support such hardworking couples and athletes who have dreams to venture into the business world.
“NDB is for the grassroots people and it is ready to support the small and medium enterprise sector and people are free to come and seek assistance,” he said.
“It is for the informal sector, people must be free to come so that we all must be prepared for the 2020 PNG Games.”
Albert said the couple’s success story was a challenge to other athletes in the province and the bank would not hesitate to help them in future if they needed help.
The Lower Takere Hostel is located near North Mendi Primary School, a short walk from Mendi town.
It contains 12 rooms from K250-K300 per fortnight.