Official seeking Gulf Provincial Sports Trust’s assistance

The National Sports

By MELTON PAIS
A member of Gulf’s sporting fraternity has hailed the establishment of the Gulf Provincial Sports Trust (GPST) as a way forward, but claims the organisation’s location remains unclear.
Kerema Soccer Association treasurer Eileen Pakyei said the formation of the Trust by Governor Christopher Haiveta following his election last year was welcome news to sportsmen and sportswomen throughout the province.
“However, people administering the organisation have not indicated where they are located,” Pakyei said.
She said the governor had done his part, and “we are very grateful”.
“Now the onus is on the people he has appointed do what they are supposed to do,” she said.
Pakyei said during her teenage years in the early 1970s, there was only one field — which accommodated rugby league, soccer, softball and AFL — and a basketball court.
“The basketball court also accommodated netball and volleyball,” she said.
“All major outdoor promotional activities were held either on the playing field or on the basketball court.
“That was forty years ago, but it is still the same today.
“There are no proper training places for the clubs.
“Sportspeople use the airstrip, the beach and whatever little space they find in the town for their training.”
Kerema Amateur Basketball Association president Aisi Aua also expressed disappointed.
“We made a submission for assistance to the GPST in March, but there’s been no response since,” Aua said.
Aua said more needed to be done for sports in the province.
“We need more playing fields and courts,” he said.
“We also need training on refereeing and coaching. We are connected by road to the National Capital District, where the standards of all the sports are very high.
“Our standards should be similar to that of NCD.
“We definitely need the support of the Gulf Provincial Sports Trust in these areas.”
The National sent questions regarding the matter to GPST chief executive Lawrence Lahari via email on Tuesday, however, a response was not forthcoming.