Tripartite deal paves way for Regional Youth Games concept

THE National Youth Development Authority (NYDA), Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation, and Community Development, Youth and Religion Department have signed a memorandum of understanding which paves the way for a new concept, the Regional Youth Games.
This tripartite partnership will see youths in rural areas participating in different sporting activities at the district level in consultation with their District Development Authorities (DDAs).
The Games will be held biennially in selected districts within a province in each of the four regions, the first this year will be the Southern Games scheduled for Nov 28 to Dec 4 in Alotau, Milne Bay.
NYDA director-general Joe Itaki said youths in the country were seen as major contributors to social problems, so the partnership would help address the issue.
“The question we should be asking is, what we can do in our individual capacities to find appropriate ways to get youths engaged to keep them away from that,” he said.
“It’s crucial to work together to engage youths in sports and other areas.
“It’s important to create opportunities so youths can take ownership of provincial or district teams by participating in sports and competing in the Games.”
Meanwhile, acting department secretary Jerry Ubase said the first two days of the Southern Games would see youths participating in religious activities before continuing with sports.
Foundation executive director Albert Veratau said the partnership would create a platform for youths to thrive and improve “every aspect of their lives”. The Games are seen as an avenue to select athletes for the PNG Games.