Policy opens doors: PM

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE launching of a new national sports policy opens opportunities for sports to be better integrated in the country’s school system, says Prime Minister James Marape.
He said the 30-year policy was for the next generation of athletes and officials to create a workable pathway from the schools level to the elite stage.
“Let’s partner the Education Department and make sports a viable option in all our schools in the country,” Marape said.
“When I’m talking sports, I’m not just talking about rugby league or soccer, the schools system should embrace all sports and get engaged.
“Let’s launch it and reach out to the next generation.”
He said the potential of integrating sports into the schools system would see students in the future taking up career pathways in professional sports.
“Professionalism in sports can be tapped in partnership with our schools system,” Marape said.
“The engagements of sports must be seen in the same vain as we place viable career options for children to embrace.
“Sports cross the cultural and political divides.
“Sports are a great unifier if they are truly harnessed and cultured properly in the way that they should be.”
Meanwhile, the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation said the policy’s framework was developed to work with the education system which started from the elementary level to the tertiary stage.
The focus areas for the policy include sports governance and administration, sports resources, participation, research and high performance.