Tonde backing volleyball comp to change youths’ attitude

THE Hausman Volleyball Cup in Morata has made a positive impact on youths in the area, according to an official.
The competition has attracted Rainbow Missionary Home owner Joe Tonde to sponsor the community programme to help reduce crime in the area.
Community leader Oti George Soka said the competition, which started nine weeks ago, had attracted interest from Morata, Waigani, Tokarara and June Valley.
Soka said Tonde had committed himself as a long-term sponsor of the competition, which he sees as a rehabilitation project for youths.
Tonde, a former senior public servant, said he was confident of promoting change in the community.
“There is no secret and the only way to see it work is to fund it,” he said.
“So that all the players can take ownership of this project in the community.”
Tonde said Morata was known as a notorious suburb for criminals “but we are trying to change the youths’ attitude”.
“This competition also involves policemen and women from Waigani and Morata as part of their role in the community,” Tonde said.
“We will not address law-and-order issues overnight.
“It will take time but we’re heading in the right directions.
“There is a big pool of talented players — both men and women — playing every Saturday and Sunday at Pitpit Street.
“We have 72 teams — 36 in the men’s division and as many in the women’s — so three courts are used to play all these games under the International Volleyball Federation rules.”