The National claims media award

The National, Papua New Guinea’s No.1 daily newspaper, was named as the sports media of the year during in the annual South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Sports Awards ceremony in Port Moresby on Saturday night.
Sports editor Henry Pambuai congratulated the staff of Pacific Star, publisher of The National, for their part in helping win the prestigious award.
“It was a team effort,” he said.
“We certainly could not have done it without the support of everyone here at Pacific Star, irrespective of the level of input by each person.
“The newsroom, transport, advertising, circulation and accounts staff, and even our cleaners and newspaper sellers on the streets, we all contributed to earning this recognition.
“We’d also like to thank all national sporting federations, the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC), SP Brewery and our advertisers for their continued support in ensuring our readers get the best news content in the country.
“We look forward to continue providing a high-quality product in the form of PNG’s No.1 daily newspaper.”
Meanwhile, the awards ceremony at Crown Hotel saw Olympic weightlifter Morea Baru and jumps specialist Rellie Kaputin being named as the male and female athletes of the year respectively.
Baru beat fellow finalists in Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam and South Sydney Rabbitohs try-scoring record-holder Alex Johnston.
Kaputin beat St George Illawara Dragons’ National Rugby League Women’s player Elsie Albert and Olympic weightlifter Dika Toua.

The Kumul Petroleum Papua New Guinea Barramundis were named as the team of the year for their international success, which included the side’s maiden Twenty-20 World Cup appearance in 2021.
Nest Athletics Club was announced as the winner of the national performance of the year.
Squash player Joshua Porter was named as the junior male athlete of the year. For the people’s choice award, Lae-based sevens rugby union heavyweights Papuan Compound Ravens were announced as the winners.
The Ravens received overwhelming public support through the short message voting system.
Another squash player, Amity Alarcos claimed the junior female athlete of the year.
Para-athlete Morea Mararos was awarded the best sports person with a disability.
An Australian Government sport-for-development programme, Gym Bad was awarded the community sports initiative of the year.
PNG Football Association referee David Yareboinen took out the sports official of the year.
The sports photo of the year was awarded to Sports Tok’s Fidelis Wasari ahead of The National’s Patricia Keamo and Post-Courier’s Simon Keslep.
Sports Minister Wesley Raminai and PNGOC president Sir John Dawanincura congratulated all winners virtually.