PNG Palais visit schools

By ISAAC LIRI
BEING an athlete, there is more to just putting in the hard yards at training or in a match.
Going to schools and communities is one crucial part of the whole package of being an elite athlete, it can be described as being a role model.
This was no different for the Papua New Guinea Palais (national women’s rugby sevens team), who visited two schools near the Motukea port.
Schoolchildren from the Baruni and Tatana Primary schools were given a timely donation of school bags by the Palais, as ambassadors of their sponsors International Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICTSI).
The Palais first visited Baruni Primary School and donated 700 school bags and then went to Tatana to donate another 700 bags, a total 1400 school bags.
The Palais players who visited the schools were captain Kymlie Rapilla, Debbie Kaore, Tavai Lavai, Marie Biyama, Fatima Rama, Geua Larry and Chelsea Garesa.
The visit put smiles on the faces of every child as they assembled, cheered and sang joyfully.
Baruni Primary School head teacher Irene Narlusi Gaudi acknowledged ICTSI and the Palais for the visit.
“For our national players to visit us is very inspiring for our children,” she said.
“When the children see them, they want to be like them.”
Rapilla described the visit as a privilege and acknowledged ICTSI for making it possible.
“Sports are important but education is important too,” Rapilla told the children.
“Education will take you a long way.
“If you can balance both, you can become successful.”
ICTSI chief executive Anil Singh said the whole idea of the visit was not only to show their partnership with the surrounding communities like Baruni and Tatana but to use the team they sponsor (Palais) as a vehicle to inspire the younger generation.
“When we come out like this to make donations and we came out with the Palais, the young children in the communities will be encouraged,” Singh said.
Singh said ICTSI would sponsor the Palais for two years, with their support starting this year.