Goroka lack support

THE lack of sponsorship has stalled kickboxing events in Goroka, Eastern highlands province, says instructor John Wal.
“We have the capabilities of making the sporting code a major attraction in Goroka and eight districts in province, but due to the lack of support and sponsorship, our efforts have come to a standstill,” he said.
However, he added that the first training session for the year would go ahead at Sunrise Four Square Church in West Goroka early next month.
He said kickboxing was a martial art that taught discipline and would benefit youths roaming the streets and markets involved  in petty crimes.
Wal founded the Goroka Kickboxing Association in 2007 and trained 60 fighters both male and female at Young Christian Hall (YC) in Goroka before moving to the National Sports Institute (NSI) in 2008.
“I shifted from one location to another due to financial problems. This sport is not supported by the government.
“We use our own money to fund our activities,” Wal said.
He said even though there were no proper facilities for training, he would continue to enrol youths roaming the streets of Goroka town and find ways to help young men and women in the community.
Wal added that the sports training methods would empower youths to keep a positive and disciplined attitude, enabling them to make better use of any opportunity such as employment – security guards – with companies engaged in resource projects with the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project.