Kali out to put country on map

 By KYMLIE KARANI

THE country’s first kite-surfer, Benny Kali, is ready to put the country on the map when he competes in the upcoming Kiting Championships.

Kali, 20, from Hula village, Central, will be competing with some of the top kite surfers from Australia and other countries in Townsville, Australia, from Aug 30-September 1.

The young athlete could not have done it without the support of Paradise Beverages and Pepsi Max PNG, which helped Kali with his equipment, including brand new kites, boards and outfits for the competition.

On making the announcement last week, Paradise Beverages marketing coordinator Lawrence Acanufa Junior said the organisation was more than pleased to help Kali in PNG’s first ever extreme sports sponsorship through kite-board racing.

“Pepsi Max will be getting involved to help Benny with his dreams and helping young Papua New Guineans with a chance at trying a new and exciting sport in kite racing and kite boarding,” Acanufa said.

Kali said he was looking forward to competing in his first international tournament.

In his second year of kite boarding, Kali has managed to get children in his village interested in the sport.

“My other siblings are now in to the sport and I want to teach as many young kids as I can to help spread the interest of the sport in the country,” Kali said.