Isapea dinner nets K200,000

By JACK AMI

THE Gulf Isapea hosted a successful fund-raiser dinner at the Grand Palace Restaurant – Vision City last Friday.

A crowd of over 250 dedicated supporters and sponsors gathered to hear how the franchise has progressed and were treated to a moving and inspirational speech from the former Kiwis captain Tawera Nikau .

Nikau’s message of having the right attitude that would make the individuals maximise their talent to excel in sport and also life in general, struck a chord with the audience.

 A veteran of 19 tests for New Zealand, Nikau had the honour of captaining the New Zealand Maoris at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom and was recently inducted into the New Zealand Legends of League. 

Nikau helped raise K10,000 for the Gulf Isapea franchise.

Marcus Bai, Nikau’s former Melbourne Storm teammate and PNG Kumul, donated an autographed 2013 Storm jersey – another was donated by Nikau, raising over K11,100. Two signed Isapea jerseys brought in K7,500.

Sponsors for the night were Prima Small Goods, SP Brewery, Ozi-K Ltd, Gateway Hotel and Team Blue. 

Other Digicel Cup teams represented at the fundraiser were the Goroka Lahanis, Lae Tigers and the Mt Hagen Eagles. 

Sister Helen Hukula, founder of the Well Women’s Clinic, who has donated her life to saving women in PNG from cervical cancer with early detection, gave a moving speech highlighting some sobering facts and asking the male community in PNG to support their women in the fight against cancer. 

Ministers in attendance were Planning Minister Charles Abel, Health Minister Michael Malabag and Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma. 

Kerema entertainment icon Robert Oeka entertained with the KB Stones Productions.

Isapea chairman Peter Loko thanked all in attendance for their contributions and commended Nikau for his presence. The night netted more than K200,000 for the club with some of the proceeds going to the Well Women’s Clinic.