Sports vital for adolescents, says official

GETTING adolescents involved in sports is important for growth and developing a good attitude in society, according to an official.
Adolescents from Buna and Kokoda, Northern, recently graduated from Kokoda Track Foundation’s Kicks for Kokoda sports-for-development programme.
Foundation health programmes manager Kate Donnellan said 168 students from schools in Kokoda (116) and Buna (52) graduated from the soccer-based skills programme.
“Kicks for Kokoda uses the power of soccer to connect young women and men with mentors, information and health services they need to grow, develop, and thrive,” she said.
“We partnered the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee and grassroots soccer to help youths overcome health challenges, live healthier and productive lives, and become agents of change.
“The Kicks for Kokoda programme, through the Team Up partnership, is supported by the Australian Government. The programme has obviously created a special bond between participants and Kicks for Kokoda coaches who now support each other amid challenges faced by adolescents in rural PNG.
“This demonstrates the importance of running such a programme, even under Coronavirus restrictions.”
Semi-professional soccer player and Kicks for Kokoda project coordinator Basil Jofari said he had seen progress among participants of the programme. The best part of the program is seeing children expressing themselves during the activities,” he said.
“There was good feedback from the children in terms of their participation.
“At first, they were shy, but then a safe space was created which made it much easier for them to participate.”
Meanwhile, the participants are looking forward to a Kicks for Kokoda sports tournament which will take place in the province early next year.