Nandex urges Government to support martial arts

PAPUA New Guinea kickboxing legend Stanley Nandex has appealed to the Government to recognise and support martial arts in the country.
Nandex said on Tuesday that the late Lee Henry Garap and the late Martin Beni were examples of the potential that PNG had in fight sports.
The former world kickboxing champion said Muay Thai world champion Garap and former Commonwealth champion Beni were the country’s most successful fighters and great ambassadors of PNG in combat sports.
“If you look at the number of belts Garap had won and the success of Beni, it doesn’t come easy,” Nandex said.
“It takes years of practice, hard work, commitment, discipline, time and resources to achieve great results.
“Martial arts don’t get much support from the Government and sponsors, but it’s amazing how people like Garap and Beni can make the country proud on the world stage.
“Fight sports deserve recognition from the Government.
“We need their support and it’s about time they assist us.”
Nandex said PNG’s martial artists had promoted the country in other parts of the world unlike other sports.
“Sports are a great platform that portrays a good image of our country despite the negative headlines and negative perception we get from other countries,” he said.
“Martial arts are family sports, they bring people together and time and time again our fighters have put PNG on the world stage.
“Our fighters have made us proud.
“We need support so that we can give an opportunity to the abundance of talented fighters across the country.”
Nandex said fighters needed proper training and exposure to flourish.