Kempa clean sweep Va’a canoeing titles in Port Moresby

KEMPA dominated two other clubs in the Papua New Guinea Canoe Association’s 2021 National Marathon Va’a Titles at Lancron Naval Base in Port Moresby on Nov 27.
Kempa Outrigger Canoe Club claimed the senior men’s (14km), junior men’s (5.8km), senior women’s (10km) and junior women’s (5.8km) events against Konedobu Kanu Club and Port Moresby Outrigger Canoe Club.
Association president Pole Kassman attributed the success of the titles in part to the generosity of the PNG Defence Force for the use of its facilities.
The association said the military’s support was crucial to the event because the federation was not a wealthy entity, with each of its clubs struggling financially.
“It’s going to be tough work for the clubs to raise sufficient funds to enable them to participate in future events,” said association treasurer Neil Papenfus, who the general manager of event sponsor, Pacific Towing.
“We need all the help we can get.”
The association’s canoeists are training exceptionally hard in the hope that they’ll represent PNG in next year’s Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Marianas (a group of islands north of PNG and east of Hong Kong).
Kassman is hopeful that a corporate sponsor will come forward to help fund the development of their representatives in the lead-up to the Games.