Ways sought to spend K24m budget allocation

PNG Sports Foundation chief executive officer Iamo Launa has challenged the organisation on how the K24 million budget allocation would be spent.
For the first time, the cash-strapped national sporting organisation was given more under the annual budget allocation.
Speaking at the Christmas party function at the Sir John Guise indoor complex last Friday, Launa said the significance of her tenure was the increase in budget allocation for next year.
She said this year’s allocation was the biggest ever.
She paid tribute to the Sports Minister Philemon Embel and the Community Development secretary Joseph Klapat for their part in securing the budget.
Launa also thanked the Department of Treasury, National Planning and AusAID for their input in helping sports get the maximum funding from the National Government.
She also acknowledged the support Lae Biscuit Company for investing in the Pikinini Sports programme and the AusAID for funding the Grassroots Sports programme.
She said the biggest achievement for the foundation was staging the PNG Games in Port Moresby recently which attracted more than  7,000 athletes, sportsmen, women and the technical officials.
“The PNG Games was very successful. It was biggest ever. It was amazing to see grassroot athletes from villages throughout PNG taking part in the games,” she said.
She added that the event was a way of measuring the level of competitiveness with other sporting events in the country.
Launa commended PNG Games Council chairman Edris Kumbruwah and the PNG Sports Federation secretary-general Sir John Dawanicnura and other stakeholders, including sponsors for making the event a success.