Policy-review workshop crucial, says Tsiamalili

By ISAAC LIRI
A consultative workshop for the Papua New Guinea national sports policy review held in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, last week was hailed a success.
Drawing participants from the seven Highlands provinces, PNG Sports Foundation chief executive Peter Tsiamalili Jr highlighted the significance of the workshop in charting the way forward for sports in the country.
“Sports have become more significant in the Government’s development aspirations such as the Medium-Term Development Plan III and its expected outcomes,” Tsiamalili Jr said.
“It is hoped that detailed discussions will realise the aspirations of how we want sport to be better managed, coordinated, developed and used as an effective tool for integral human development.
“Ultimately, this will map out strategies to promote and effectively use sports for development and strengthen sports development.”
Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu also attended the workshop and echoed the importance of the review.
Numu shared his ambitions and plans for the different codes in the province particularly among youths, and his dream for Eastern Highlands to be an icon for sports in the country.
Consulting firm ZimCare Limited listened to the participants’ views and later revealed the draft policy.
Participants were given the opportunity to critique the draft and raise questions.
Two similar consultative workshops for Mamose and Southern were held last month (Feb 7-8) in Lae and (Feb 21-22) in Port Moresby.
The team is now in Kokopo for the New Guinea Islands consultative workshop which started yesterday and ends today.