Sports budget cut up

 By HENRY MORABANG

THE 2016 sports allocation in the National Budget has been geared towards the year’s major events with the country’s main sports governing body getting a K3 million increase in its funding.

The Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation received K54 million as Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch handed down his K14.2 billion budget on Tuesday.

Chief executive officer Peter Tsiamalili Jr confirmed that sports received an increased total from last year.

When contacted yesterday, he was quick to brush aside uncertainty, saying even though the allocation would not cover every area of the body’s operations, the foundation was grateful for the current funding at its disposal.

“We will work with what we were given by the Government,” Tsiamalili promised.

He was critical of the apparent lack of funding for the maintenance and up-keep of the major sporting venues and infrastructure.

He said the PNGSF had submitted a plan for the maintenance of all major sports venues around the country at a cost of K12m.

Venues such as the Rita Flynn Courts, the Bisini Sports Complex, the Taurama Acquatic Centre and the Sir John Guise indoor and outdoor stadiums will need large allocations from the State to keep them operational.  

Tsiamalili said the foundation would accept the budget and work within its means to focus a portion of the funding to maintaining the stadia.

The budget allocation of K54m comprises six main areas of focus: PNG Sports Foundation Transfer – K10,511,600; Australia Sports Outreach Programme – K3,840,000; Sports Enhancement Programme for district and provinces – K10m; 2016 PNG Games – K5m; 2016 FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup – K10m; High Performance Centre – K15m. 

Attempts to contact Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko to get more clarification on the six activities were unsuccessful as he was in Mt Hagen to welcome world soccer star David Beckham.