New policy set: Raminai

By PETER WARI
SPORTS Minister Wesley Raminai is to launch a new policy this week, with more priority given to schools to host sporting programmes for students to learn the basics at an early age.
He said Papua New Guinea should be consistently dominating other Pacific Island nations in sports as it had a bigger landmass and population.
Raminai said: “What is the setback? We need to rectify this and make changes to the policy.
“In my four years as the sports vice-minister, I saw the need for this change.
“So I will launch the new sports policy to see some changes.”
Speaking during the opening of the Imbonggu Community Development Centre in Southern Highlands on Friday, Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister Raminai said school carnivals and tournaments had to be revived. “Our students need to be involved in sporting activities from elementary school up the secondary and tertiary level,” the Kagua-Erave MP said.
“Sports allow young people to take on leadership roles and responsibilities.
“It’s also as a positive way of achieving a healthy lifestyle, gender equity and social inclusion.”
Raminai said currently, instead of students learning the basics at a young age, they began participating in bigger competitions by the time they reached 18.
He said introducing sports to schools would not only help them physically.
Raminai said it would also have a great impact on students’ lives as they would become disciplined and overcome adversity. He said the policy would have a huge impact on the PNG Sports Foundation.