Tournaments kick-start district celebrations

By ROBINSON LEKA
EAST Sepik’s Maprik District Development Authority on Thursday kicked off celebrations for the country’s 45th Independence with soccer and volleyball tournaments to mark the week-long activities.
District chief executive Joshua Himina said the tournaments were named after local MP John Simon while other activities for youths and church rallies would follow this week leading-up to the main programme tomorrow.
“These celebrations are planned with the aim of ‘building a better Maprik for tomorrow through unity’,” he said. “The opening of the JS (John Simon) tournaments was officiated by Maprik town mayor Paul Dingu last week which saw the start of the celebrations.
“The celebrations will also give recognition to Sir Peter Lus, one of Maprik’s own sons and a founding father our beautiful country of Papua New Guinea.” Gospel music group P2UIF is taking part in the celebrations and will be hosting a seminar with youths from the district this week.
The main programme tomorrow will see a morning march and dawn service at the district’s administration office followed by a culture and agriculture show at the Maprik sports field.
The tournaments end on Thursday with the finals and awards ceremony.
The authority reminded people that the activities were in line with their vision of acknowledging the past and embracing the future.