PNGSF owe sports volunteers K50,000

By ZACHERY PER
THE PNG Sports Foundation owes nine coordinators of Strongim Komuniti Klabs’ initiative more than K50,000 in outstanding allowances.
Frustrated coordinators fronted up at The National office in Goroka last week to express their frustration that the PNGSF failed to pay their monthly allowances of K400 each since December 2010.
Spokesman of those affected John Tango, who coordinates Henganofi district in Eastern Highlands, said PNGSF had forgotten them and several attempts for help from the officers at the National Sports Institute (NSI) fell on deaf ears.
He said the PNGSF had appointed nine coordinators for Henganofi, Kainantu (Eastern Highlands), Ramu, Madang, Walium, Bogia (Madang), Markham, Salamaua (Morobe) and Rabaul (East New Britain).
Tango said they were instrumental in preparing youths and members of the community for the upcoming 2012 PNG Games in Kokopo.
He said the concept was an effective programme for people in remote areas, there was very good feedback from the people.
“Every member of the community recognises our efforts and appreciated them very much, but PNGSF had turned their back on us especially paying our monthly allowances of K400,” he said.
Tango said they were volunteers entering an understanding with the PNGSF for the engagement, but to date nothing was paid.
“We are calling on the CEOIamo Launa to come forward and explain as to why we are not getting our allowances,” he  said.
Nine coordinators were to receive K57,600 for the past 16 months because they missed out, each will get K6,400 (K400 x 16 months), K6,400 x nine coordinators.