K100,000 pledged for Ahi centre

By MALUM NALU
THE week-long Ahi Festival ended in style in Lae last Friday with more than K100,000 pledged to build an Ahi resource centre, an education facility which will have a library, computer laboratory and conference and work shop facilities.
Other expected support is expected to see more than K200,000 raised for the resource centre.
The pledges were made by Lae business houses, groups and individuals during a function at the Lae International Hotel last Friday night which coincided with the crowning of Miss Ahi.
General manager of Riback Stevedores and major sponsor of the festival, Peter Boyd, was overwhelmed by the support from sponsors
The pledges included  K30,000 from Morobe provincial government, K25,000 from Lae Biscuit Company, K10,000 from lawyer Kelly Naru, K7,000 from Wanu family of Butibam village, K5,000 from In Touch Media, K2,000 from Bogan family of Butibam village, K10,000 from Nambawan Super, K5,000 from Aaron family of Yanga village, K10,000 from councillor Douglas Maliaki of Butibam village, K2,000 from PNG Steel and K10,000 from Deugro.
Lae Biscuit Company founder Sir Henry Chow said the company was indebted to the Ahi people as it had built its new factory on customary land at Kamkumung village.
Sir Henry announced that LBC would be rebuilding the sporting complex at Kamkumung and turn it  into a homeground for the Lae inter-city rugby league team at a cost of K2 million.
He also revealed that LBC would be sponsoring the Lae inter-city rugby league team from next year onwards and would be looking at renaming as Snax Tigers.
The festival itself ended on a high note with closing remarks by In Touch Media managing director Sir Nagora Bogan
With the theme Promoting education through sports and culture – the festival was  aimed at raising funds for the establishment of the resource centre.
It brought together the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang to showcase their talent in sports and culture.