Local MP backs sports in electorate

UNGGAI-Bena is taking steps to becoming one of the Papua New Guinea’s healthiest sporting districts with the allocation of K25,000 from local MP Benny Allen last Thursday.
The electorate also saw the election of a sports association executive for the Lower Bena LLG.
The executive officer of the Unggai-Bena MP, Tebani Onopika, handed over the K10,000 to the districts sports authorities and a further K5,000 to the three LLG sports associations in each district.
The Lower Bena LLG also voted in Kefuno Aipu as the chairman for their sports association which also includes Toriss Seme (deputy chairman), Saffty Auso (secretary) and Temiel Aion (treasurer).
After the election, the group vowed that the funds would be put into good use to ensure the districts benefited.
There was also fair representation given to all wards, including four highly skilled individuals.
Jason Napiorkowski, who is a sports volunteer attached with the Eastern Highlands division for community development, said: “On a day when women’s rights was celebrated internationally, with the condemnation of all forms of discrimination against women, it was brilliant to see almost 40% of the participants women and a woman elected as the deputy chairman.”
Napiorkowski said the sports programme was well-positioned financially and has the mechanisms in place to ensure the funds were utilised effectively and responsibly.
The new Lower Bena Sports Association members thanked Onopika for attending the meeting and making the financial contribution on behalf of the member.
They said it demonstrated the young group was already recognised and respected.
With the support from the member the sports programme was well-positioned to deliver.
It would also contributed to Team Eastern Highlands preparations for the 2012 PNG Games in Kokopo, East New Britain.