PM directs help for surfing meet

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill told Parliament yesterday that he would direct Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) to assist the West Sepik Government in hosting the World Longboard Surfing championship in October.
O’Neill was responding to West Sepik Governor Tony Wouou’s request for the Government to assist the international event, the second for PNG —Madang hosted last year’s longboard tournament — adding that the country could host international events.
“I congratulate the province and organisers for hosting the World Longboard Surfing tournament, the second for the country,” O’Neill said.
“We had a successful World Long board Surfing tournament in Madang by the Tupira Surf Club which was viewed by over 120 million people around the world.
“Our government was proud to be supportive of that event; we sponsored the tournament though KCH and I see no reason why we cannot assist in October.
“I will ask KCH to again help you sponsor this event so we can make a success of it.
“The reports that we got from the Tupira surf club was an great success and it goes to show that we can host international events,” he said.
“We’ve been able to successfully host a women’s Under-20 Fifa World Cup, three Rugby League World Cup matches and again I am certain that this World Longboard Surfing championship in Vanimo will be a success like it was in Madang last year and we certainly want to be a part of that.”