Facilities ready to open

PAPUA New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) facilities in Lae will be ready to host events when the Covid-19 state of emergency is lifted in June, according to an official.
PNGSF Northern director Geoffrey Gideon said health and safety measures would be put in place at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, where Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League matches are played.
He said sports were aimed at encouraging youth participation.
“Year in year out, it’s youths who remain committed to the make-up of any sporting code either through individual or team participation,” Gideon said.
“The greater population of PNG does not play golf or run the tracks where you can expect safer measures against Covid-19. “The greater population plays rugby league and union, soccer, volleyball, basketball, netball, hockey and other team sports.
“There are many who depend on sports. You can only look as far as PNG’s two semi-professional competitions (rugby league and soccer), and ask how many players have permanent jobs.”
Gideon said youths used sports to develop themselves.
“Think about what our youths in settlements are doing in place of sports due to Covid-19,” he said.
“In sports we want to instil discipline, training, healthy living and these things come into play and when a player is part of a club uses sports as an avenue to release stress and anxiety.”