PNG Air rallies behind cricket

By MARTHA DERUAGE
PNG Air has announced a two-year sponsorship for Cricket PNG, a partnership which will see the company provide free domestic flights to officials of the sport’s governing body.
The sponsorship will allow Cricket PNG athletes and officials to travel to the 22 provinces to develop the sport.
PNG Air sales and commercial manager Linda Honey announced the sponsorship yesterday, in the presence of Cricket PNG chief executive Greg Campbell, chairman Helen Macindoe, cricket director Gayan Loku, and representatives of the Barramundis, Lewas and Garamuts at Jackson Airport in Port Moresby.
Honey said Cricket PNG had been proactive in engaging athletes from other provinces to gain international exposure.
“The company (PNG Airlines) is all about connecting people because we are a Papua New Guinea-owned airline,” she said.
Campbell said they were excited about the sponsorship, as it would allow the sport to expand to other provinces and develop potential cricketers.
“This partnership will ensure that our athletes travel back and forth safely,” he said.
“So if we have clinics in other provinces, it will be easy for our staff to travel and assist the boys, girls, men and women with our programmes.
“We aim to develop potential athletes, and also to help people live a better and healthy lifestyle through sports.”
Macindoe said the sponsorship could not have come at a better time, as Cricket PNG had plans to build 48 pitches around the country.
“Thanks to this partnership with PNG Air, it will definitely lift the level of cricket in the country and help expand it to other provinces.”