Team Papua New Guinea’s swimming sensation Ryan Maskelyne finished second in his heat with a time of 29.53 seconds knocking off the 29.85 seconds national record and setting a new one for PNG in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke. Maskelyne was exceptional in his respective events since starting last Saturday where he swam the Men’s 200m Breaststroke coming eighth in a pool consisting of World Record and Commonwealth Games Record holders. He also broke the Men’s 100m Breaststroke national record of 1:03:89 (set by himself) clocking a new time of 1:03:31. Swim Team Manager Sarenah Pini said she was happy with how Team PNG’s swimmers performed at the Commonwealth Games. “Ryan has done extremely well in his respective events and his performance is a reflection of all the hard work, sacrifices, the long hours to and from training, and the dedication and time put into his training,” said Mrs Pini. In other results for Day 4, Team PNG’s Georgia-Leigh Vele swam an improved time of 1:01:60 in the Women’s 100m Freestyle in comparison to her 1:01:73 time at the FINA World Championships in Budapest, five weeks ago. Georgia-Leigh will now prepare for the Queensland Short Course Championships in two weeks’ time. Then to the PNG FedEx National Short Course Championships in October followed by the FINA World Short Course Championships in Melbourne. In boxing, there were two tough bouts for Team PNG. Charles Keama went down against Zambian, Patrick Chinyemba in the Men's 48-51kg division. The fight was stopped by the referee in the second round. Similarly, in the Men’s 54-57kg division, Allan Oaike's bout was also stopped in the second round by the referee, awarding the win to his opponent Joseph Commey of Ghana

People's First Party candidate Theo Pelgens is the new member-elect of Parliament for Nawaeb District in Morobe Province, ousting incumbent MP Kennedy Wenge. He was announced winner at Boana Station in Wain Erap LLG on Saturday with 10, 335 votes. Running close and in second spot was Romeo Napo Momo with 9, 325 votes. Former Nawaeb Kennedy Wenge has been running at eight placing during the primary counts and made his way up to top five sitting fourth out of 55 candidates. He was the first candidate eliminated during eliminations. Theo was accompanied by his National President Dominic Kuasonbi to Boana Station to sign his writs.

Papua New Guinea’s leading superannuation provider, National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund), and leading air service provider, PNG Air, have renewed their partnership to provide more value for Nasfund contributors. Through the Fund’s Membership Discount Program (MDP), Nasfund members can now benefit from a K50 discount on one-way airfares. PNG Air Chief Commercial Officer Simon C. Pitt said this partnership seeks to provide outstanding value for Nasfund contributors. “Since the easing of restrictions, we have noted an increase in the demand for travel within Papua New Guinea. As a nationally-owned airline, it is in our best interest to make air travel more affordableand accessible. Given the current economic situation, we are pleased to renew our partnership with Nasfund to provide this discount to the Fund’s active contributors. To take advantage of these discounts, Nasfund members will have to show their Nasfund membership ID card, when purchasing their tickets at our sales offices”, said Mr. Pitt. [caption id="attachment_24720" align="aligncenter" width="389"] (Left to Right): PNG Air CCO Simon C. Pitt, and Nasfund Team Leader ClientRelations Raela Wari at the announcement of the renewal of PNG Air’s MDPpartnership offering[/caption] This offer is also redeemable on the PNG Air website. Members will have to use the promo code ‘NASFUND22’ when booking until November 30th 2022, and ‘NASFUND23’ when booking from February 1st 2023 onwards. Members can travel at any time, except within the aforementioned dates. The discount is now available for members and their beneficiaries, and subject to terms and conditions. This offer to Nasfund members will be in place for the next 12 months. CEO Ian Tarutia welcomed the renewed MDP agreement and thanked PNG Air for their commitment to provide affordable air travel for Nasfund Members. “We thank PNG Air for renewing their partnership through the Fund’s Membership Discount Program. This offer certainly provides more value for our members, especially during these challenging times. We encourage our members to take advantage of this partnership, to save more while you work today. We are committed to work together to provide value for our members while they work, so that they are ready for tomorrow.”

The National Superannuation Fund, Nasfund, today welcomed 800 new contributing members on Lihir Island. These 800 members, are employees of 200 landowner companies who provide services to Newcrest Mining Limited (NML), through Lihir Business Services (LBS). All 200 landowner companies this week received their Employer Registration Certificates, confirming their membership to Papua New Guinea’s leading superannuation provider. CEO Ian Tarutia welcomed the newly registered employers and praised the management of each entity for the responsible decision to provide a secure financial future for their employees through superannuation savings with Nasfund. “The process in registering our new members is one that was made possible through cooperation from NML, LBS, and our Nasfund Lihir service centre. The bulk registration of our new members on Lihir island is one of the largest we have had, and is a testament to the great working relationship we have with the local business community. This also demonstrates the importance that businesses, whether large or small, place on retirement savings for their employees. As members of Nasfund, these members now benefit from our cadre of services, which includes our online platforms, TextBal service, and our popular Membership Discount Program (MDP). We are committed to providing value for these members while they work today, so that they are ready for retirement, when the time comes.” In receiving the Employer Registration Certificates, Lihir Business Services Acting General Manager Assumpta Wauwau, thanked the Fund for its efforts in ensuring all requirements were met, for the contractors to join Nasfund. “This is a milestone for LBS in achieving the superfund compliance requirement for its 200 plus contractors under the LBS/Newcrest vendor agreement. Having the Nasfund General Manager Member & Employer Services Anne Wilson, on the island to handover the certificate signifies the importance of this achievement given the volume of employer and member registrations at any one time. LBS commends the company owners and directors of the Lihirian owned businesses for their cooperation in registering with Nasfund, to save guard the retirement savings for their employees.

The extended date for the Return of Writs will mean more money from the public purse will be forked out by the government to ensure the 2022 National General Election process is completed in full. Chair of the Inter-Departmental Election Committee and Secretary for the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Ivan Pomaleu, says the Governor General has extended the date of Return of Writs to 05th August 2022. Secretary Pomaleu said this is because counting and declarations have been slow. By the original date of Return of Writs, it was still impractical for the Electoral Commission to return most of the writs. “In a democratic process, we expect disruptions by candidates and their supporters, and there have been disputes and petitions. “Those are best handled by the Electoral Commission who has the powers to consider and or direct for counting to proceed after disputes are registered. “However, a lot of disruptions last week were instigated by election officials, counting officials on administrative matters such as allowances,” Secretary Pomaleu said. He said be aware that there is adequate provisioning for allowances by the Electoral Commission, and these allocations have been released to the Electoral Commission. “Any delays in receiving the allowances at operational level is administrative in nature, and election officials must ensure that all administrative requirements by the Electoral Commission are completed so that allowances can be paid. “Apart from constitutional issues, the extension of the date of the Return of Writs will also cost the taxpayers more money to adequately complete the election process. “Therefore, it is necessary for me to direct that any public servants causing delays in the counting must be charged for interfering in an election. “Please note that section 178(1)(h) of the Organic Law on Elections says that inciting or encouraging, whether publicly or otherwise, disturbances to interfere in an election is an offence,” Secretary Pomaleu said. He said if someone is found guilty of that offence, then there is a penalty not exceeding K500 or imprisonment of a term not exceeding one month or both a fine and imprisonment. These provisions of the Organic Law on Elections must be implemented. “Other offences under the Public Service Management Act are to be explored. The Electoral Commission has the primary mandate to deliver all elections, but all the State agencies including its employees are to stand in solidarity to deliver the outcome of the 2022 National General Elections by 05 August 2022. Parliament will convene possibly on 09 August 2022. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all our citizens are represented in 11th Parliament when it convenes,” Secretary Pomaleu said.

Team PNG’s squash trio of Madako Suari Jnr, Feanor Siaguru and Amity Alarcos will reset and turn their attention to the Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the Commonwealth Games. Despite results not going their way over the weekend in the Men’s and Women’s Singles, head coach Marc Forster said there were still positives to take away from the performances of the three. “Junior (Madako) needs to keep up the standard and keep solid. Youngsters Feanor and Amity will come away with an understanding now of what it takes to be a professional like the players they’re seeing here,” said Forster. “But all is going well, they’re still in the game.” The Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles will start on Wednesday, August 3. To other results from Day 3 (Sunday, July 31), Team PNG’s Georgia-Leigh Vele fell short with a time of 30.34 in the heats of the Women’s 50m Butterfly. In boxing, Team PNG’s male flag bearer John Ume bowed out of the Men’s Over 60kg-63.5kg (Light Welter) after referee Jennifer Huggins stopped the contest 1:50 seconds into the first round after Ume sustained an injury. The win was awarded to his opponent Joseph Tyres from England.

Team PNG's table tennis duo of Geoffrey Loi and Tammi Agari remain focused on delivering results come game day. Loi will be competing in the Men’s Singles and Agari in the Women’s Singles. They both will then come together for the Mixed Doubles. “We didn’t want to waste time as soon as we got here and have been making the most of every opportunity to train,” said head coach Rea Loi. “We’ve had training sessions playing against countries like Fiji and Nigeria which is helping us get fully prepared.” “I’m happy with how things have gone so far. Geoffrey and Tammi are motivated and are up for the challenge to bring back results. “We’ll have the draws done on August 1 to find out who we’re going up against and we play later the same day.”

Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, GCL, GCMG, KStJ, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, has expressed joy and elation at the grand final win of the Papua New Guinea women’s national football team in Suva, Fiji last night. The Governor General and Lady Emeline Dadae had earlier shared a short video on the Government House Facebook page cheering and congratulating the women’s soccer team for advancing to the grand final match with Fiji. Grand Chief Sir Bob, a soccer fan and enthusiast, has been following the women’s team’s progress closely and watching every match on television. “I wish to express my heartiest congratulations to the women’s soccer team for the great win against Fiji last night. You did your country and fellow Papua New Guineans proud with your outstanding performance on the field throughout your competitions. You worked hard for this as demonstrated by the team work and camaraderie you displayed in every competition. Congratulations on a great win and for inspiring us all to continue to stand united and with pride fly our country’s flag high. Thank you for lifting our spirits and reawakening our patriotism, and most importantly, for uniting us all with your win. Lady Dadae joins me in congratulating each and every one of you and wish you the best in your preparations to take on other nations in the upcoming competitions,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said.

Weightlifter Morea Baru bags first medal for PNG. Lifting a total of 273kgs to take out the Silver Medal in the Men's 61kg. [caption id="attachment_24661" align="aligncenter" width="810"] Photo Credit: Team PNG[/caption] While Team PNG weightlifter Dika Toua took to the platform in what proved to be a highly competitive Women's 49kg division today. Coming agonisingly close, she missed out on a medal by a mere 1kg Source: Team PNG

CANDIDATES contesting the Kagua – Erave open seat in Southern Highlands have urged the electoral commission to allow all the 44 boxes disputed boxes to be counted instead of allowing only 28 (boxes) and setting aside 16.   Spokesperson and PNG National Party candidate Markus Kamali said that instruction from the electoral commission was to set aside all the 44 boxes last week but they went ahead to count them.   He said of the 44, they counted 28 and set aside 16 which was not fair. Provincial election manager Alwin Jimmy said 44 ballot boxes were counted and instructions from the electoral commissioner Simon Sinai not to count them on Monday afternoon was received late.   Those 44 boxes were allegedly hijacked and complaints were raised by assistant returning officer (ARO), candidates and voters to Sinai claiming that certain candidates hijacked the boxes and should not be counted.   Jimmy said boxes have been counted and cannot reverse it. The boxes are from these four local level government (LLG’s) Aiya, Erave, Kagua rural and Kuare.   Sinai, in a letter to returning officer (RO) Albert Wens Heleve, accused him of failing to communicate with him on issues raised and he has treated letters from the AROs, candidates and voters as objections made under Section 153A of the organic law. He said his decision on the objection of the 44 ballot boxes not to be admitted into scrutiny was for the following reason: Section 153A of the Organic Law required an objection to be made to the RO and no other person. The objection was initially addressed to the RO but he did not communicate it to his office. Kamali said since the 28 boxes have proceed to counting the remaining 16 boxes must also be counted as well.   He said this is not a fair decision to lock away 16 boxes and count 28 because there are part of 44 disputed boxes.   “This is unfair for all the candidates because the fault was made by the agent of the electoral commission to count these boxes despite the instruction from the commissioner Sinai,” Kamali said.   “I’m asking the electoral commissioner Simon Sinai and the provincial election manager Alwin Jimmy to allow the 16 boxes to be counted along with the 28 boxes.   “If you can count the 28 disputed boxes from the 44 then why are leaving out these 16 boxes?   “What interest does the electoral commission has with these 16 boxes?   “If the 28 boxes were counted, then I’m calling on the electoral commissioner Simon Sinai to allow the 16 boxes to be counted as well,” Kamali said.   Kamali said that if these boxes are not counted then the writ for Kagua – Erave should not be accepted because counting is not fair.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) women national soccer team- the Lakatois, came out victorious in the grand final showdown against the Fijian girls in the OFC Women Nations Cup on Saturday. The PNG girls put up a strong challenge for the Fijian girls in the first half and by the time it was half time, the girls were leading 2 goals to 1. [caption id="attachment_24654" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo Credit: Oceania Football Confederation[/caption] After the half time break, the match saw the Fijian girls coming close several times to level the score, but the PNG girls strong defense saw them unable to score any. [caption id="attachment_24653" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Photo Credit: Oceania Football Confederation[/caption] The match proceeded on to full time with the score unchanged since half time, PNG 2 and Fiji 1. The PNG women national team’s victory has created history to pass the first test to the 2023 Women World Cup. The match was played out in front of fans of both PNG and Fiji at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji.

Penrith Panthers will be without star half Nathan Cleary for at least five weeks, with the NRL coming down hard on his tip-tackle on Parramatta's Dylan Brown. The NSW star was charged with a grade three dangerous throw, his second charge for the season, following his fine for dangerous contact in round six. An early guilty plea will see Cleary sidelined for five weeks, but should he challenge the charge at the judiciary and is unsuccessful, that will rise to six weeks. If he accepts the charge, he will be unavailable for the ladder-leading Panthers until the first week of finals, missing matches against the Raiders, Storm, Rabbitohs, Warriors and Cowboys. Cleary was sent off for the first time in his career after Brown was slammed head-first into the turf in the tackle. The Panthers suffered a 34-10 loss in Friday night's blockbuster at Western Sydney Stadium, playing with 12 men for more than an hour after Cleary was sent from the field in the 18th minute. Cleary posted to his Instagram story after the match to apologise for the incident. "Filthy at myself for such a dumb moment that let the boys [and] the fans down," he wrote. "I'm not about that, it was terrible technique [and] I need to be better." It was the first time a Penrith player has been given his marching orders in 10 years. Source: ABC news