Thaiday wants youths to take leap in sports

By ZACHERY PER
FORMER Brisbane Broncos, Australian and Queensland forward Sam Thaiday yesterday joined Sports Vice-Minister Wesley Raminai in launching the inaugural Eastern Highlands Super 8 Rugby League tournament in Goroka.
Thaiday encouraged youths in Eastern Highlands to stay focused on playing sports to improve themselves.
Thaiday said he was happy to be in Goroka to launch the initiative.
Raminai said the Government was behind sports development in PNG.
“Sports is a great career opportunity,” he said.
“I thank the Eastern Highlands MPs who came together to initiate this tournament.”
Thaiday and Raminai launched the tournament at the Goroka Steak House.
Unggai-Bena MP Benny Allan said with the tournament, youths in the rural districts would get the opportunity to showcase their skills.
“This is a great opportunity to help address social issues,” Allan said
Kainantu MP Johnson Tuke said the tournament would include the eight districts of the province, with invitations sent to Markham (Morobe), Chuave (Chimbu) and Usino-Bundi (Madang).
Obura-Wonenara MP Mehrra Kipefa said the tournament was also aimed at uniting all district development authorities in the development of youths and sports programmes.
The tournament starts tomorrow and ends with the finals on Jan 24.