Funding for church-run sports

A CHURCH youth sports programme in the remote Gembogl district, Chimbu, got a boost of more than K10,000 in prize money.
Denglagu Catholic Mission, that run a youth volleyball and basketball competition, received K9,500 from Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine during their grand final last Saturday.
Teine declined any suggestions by organisers to the naming rights for the two cups for basketball and volleyball.
However, he opted that organisers name them under pioneer missionary Fr Karl Morchesaucher and pioneer lawyer from the area Theodore Banda.
“We will make youth sports become an annual event where they will compete for the Fr Morchesaucher and Theodore Banda Cups, including prize money on offer,” Teine said.
He said he had been working hard to bring services to the people and give glory to God and not for him to be glorified in having the naming rights.
“I am only a servant,” he added.
Teine said he was working tirelessly to maintain the Kundiawa-Gembogl road with the launch expected to be held in Gembogl after the major upgrade.
The government will be funding the road for K30 million.
“We will connect Chimbu with Madang via Mondia and Bundi, to create market opportunities for the people,” he said.
Local organiser Paul Karl thanked Teine for assisting them with financial support, though they did not submit any formal request.
He said they needed financial support to keep youths engaged and away from illegal activities.
In the men’s basketball grand final, Western-45 defeated Gowe Muruks 13-6, while in the women’s showdown, Gowe Muruks ousted Last-five 12-6.
In the men’s volleyball grand final, Blue Kens beat Western-45, 20-10 while Gowe Muruks narrowly escaped defeated at the hands of Eclipse 16-15 in the women’s grand final.
The winners will go home with K200 and runners-up K100 during the presentation expected to be held on Sunday.