New gym concept expected to offer sports education

By NATHAN WOTI
UPNG journalism student
A NEW gym concept is expected to offer sports education to community to coaches and strengthen community health outreach programmes at the grassroots level, says an official.
Grass Skirt Project founder and chief executive Tahina Booth said the gym-in-a-box (GIAB) initiative was to combine the love for sports with health and bringing it to the grassroots level. “It is a multipurpose facility,” she said at Hanuabada on Monday.
“It has a standard gym on one side and a standard office space on the other, which can be used as a medical check-up centre or a counselling centre for HIV, tuberculosis and cancer patients.
“We want to see more women and girls use this facility.”
Booth said the initiative had the potential to empower women and girls to attend the gym-in-a-box programmes. The prototype, a 20-foot shipping container divided into two rooms, will be used as a gym facility and a health centre at the grassroots level.
Papua New Guinea Orchids forward Booth said the initiative would be monitored for 12 months to see whether it could be used in other communities.
“We still have gym equipment that are being collected in Australia and will be used. This is just an example of what we’re planning to continue to do,” she said. Former National Rugby League player and PNG Orchids coach David Wesley, who is part of the initiative as a facilitator, said the project was a way for him to impart his knowledge at the grassroots level.
“I grew up in PNG before my dad took us to Australia,” he said.
“My dad passed away when I was only nine years old. So my way out of it was sports and being around good coaches, trainers, and mentors.
“So I’m trying to do the same. I want to give back to the locals what I have learnt.”
On Monday, Booth presented the keys to a GIAB facility to initiator and new owner Kila Mala.
Former athlete Mala said he had quit his job just to pursue his family’s passion of making a difference in the community.
Sponsors Kina Petroleum Limited and Steamships Hardware were also present at the launch of the initiative.