The Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers have opened up their 2022 Digicel Cup quest with their first win at the Santos National Football Stadium yesterday paving way for a great season ahead. Although the Vipers took on an easy 22-8 win over the Mt Hagen Eagles, coach Joe Sipa said there is still room for more improvement as a few errors would have costed the game yesterday. “There were some mistakes we made throughout the game which nearly costed us our game but we went back to the drawing board and worked on our mistakes and completed our sets.” Coach Sipa said the boys’ quick actions to work on their errors is what turned the game to their favor eventually winning by a safe margin. Vipers Frank Tole, Yeki Benjamin and debutant Manu Soli bagged the first 4 tries for the season with Tole bagging 2 of these tries. Vipers will now take on Agmark Rabaul Gurias in round 2 of the Digicel Cup competition. The Eagles however have identified more areas that they need to improve on and will make sure they work harder in training this week to correct those errors. Meanwhile, in the second game of the day, the Gulf Isous walked away with their first win over the JPG Waghi Tumbe with a scoreline of 16-8. Tumbe Coach Baundo Aba attributed the loss to a lack of proper preparations on their part with travel delays also contributing to the result for the first game however, he said they have no excuse but to go back and work on the errors and perfect their game for the next round. The JPG Waghi Tumbe will take on the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis on their home ground in Minj for Round 2 of the Digicel Cup Competition.

Team PNG HERO athletes from the world of soccer, rugby, weightlifting, boxing, basketball, and karate recently hosted sports tournaments for the youth of Oro Province, inspiring the youth of the region. A first of their kind, the day-long tournaments in Kokoda and Buna were the culmination of the Kicks 4 Kokoda program, a sport for development initiative of KTF (Kokoda Track Foundation) in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and Grassroot Soccer (GRS). Kicks 4 Kokoda (K4K) is a suite of soccer-based activities that provide vital information on challenges that 12-to 19-year-olds might face, including access to quality health services and referral pathways, inequality of girls and boys, gender-based violence. The nine-session K4K SKILLZ program is delivered by coaches to mixed gender teams of adolescent participants, linking them with the mentors, information, and health services they need to grow, develop, and thrive. Female and male Team PNG HERO athletes took program participants and community members through their paces in soccer-based activities to build on the PNGOC’s principles of Honesty, Excellence, Respect and Openness, with participants divided into four groups named according to the values. Over 300 people participated in games centred in soccer, volleyball and badminton at the two locations over the tournament weekend. The tournaments also provided the community with access to healthcare services at stands set up by Kokoda Memorial Hospital and Buna Health Centre. Health workers undertook testing for malaria and other common health issues, distributed information pamphlets on family planning, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, distributed sanitary pads and conducted STI and counselling awareness. Basil Jofari, Team PNG HERO athlete and KTF K4K project coordinator explains how the tournaments bring learnings from the program together. “The K4K program is an exciting and wonderful program, where the focus is to create that pathway for the kids to health seeking behaviour, goal setting and break down barriers with our social and cultural norms, beliefs or myths. "It allows the kids to express themselves and make wise decisions at a very young age, using the power of sports. Having the K4K tournament and seeing the PNG athletes is icing on the cake for the participants, something that they are looking forward to after their nine-week SKILLZ practices.” Raphaela Baki Kaore, Boxer and PNG National Female Boxing Coach, believes in the power of sport to transform lives; a belief she has developed over the course of her career, as an athlete who has achieved national success and now as a mentor and coach for aspiring upcomers. She has been involved in the K4K program since its inception, as an athlete representative in the program’s design and leading activities at the tournaments. “I believe sport is a driving tool to change the mindset and lifestyle of our young men and women. Sports help to defy gender stereotype and social norms. Sports can make role models and show that men and women are equal.” she said. Asiani Vagi, PNGOC Games and Programs Manager, explains how the program helps PNGOC deliver on the promotion of Olympism and various Games movements and participation of sport for all, a focus area under their 2021-2024 Strategic Plan Key Result Area of Sport in Society. “The partnership between PNGOC, KTF and GRS enables us to deliver the tournaments in line with our strategic plan, with the first of four tournaments delivered in Kokoda and Buna by Team PNG HERO athletes." "The tournament also provided the opportunity for High Performance Sport Talent Identification Officer and Team PNG HERO athlete, Dia Muri to access and recognise Jaymielee Karosa, a young participant in Kokoda who demonstrated outstanding soccer skills." “We want to see participants have fun, get the opportunity to meet Team PNG athletes, learn lifestyle skills and go through health awareness, and that is what we saw." "The athletes were very grateful to be part of the team that delivered the tournament, from officiating the Games to running the Olympic Values Education Program and interacting with the participants.” The tournaments and the K4K program were well received by the community, welcoming the Team PNG athletes and KTF team. On behalf of his village, community leader and chairman for sporting activities in Buna, Marcel Gaboe, said, “Thank you so much for bringing this program to our community. We hope that KTF and PNG Olympic committee can continue this working relationship for this project.” The Kicks 4 Kokoda program is a Team Up partnership between KTF, PNGOC and GRS, supported by the Australian Government.

Deputy Prime Minister and United Labour Party (ULP) Leader Sam Basil said political parties must practise transparency in the way in which they carry out fundraising activities to gear up for the 2022 National General Elections. Basil said this in light of his party’s fundraising dinner last night at the APEC House in Port Moresby where individuals and the business community turned up in numbers to support the fundraising event. “Political parties should come out transparently like this when raising funds to show our people how the parties are funded,” Mr Basil said. “If Political parties do not have fundraising and somehow can manage to spend millions of kina, that’s where things go wrong when we go into an election.” “I’d like to encourage all the parties and voters to understand that coming out like this to do fundraising is a very good and transparent way.” He said the money raised from the fundraising event will be spent on ULP Party’s candidates’ posters, logistics and their nomination fees as well as their activities to gear up for the elections.

Fury has now suggested that he will retire, and said: "I am a man of my word. This might be the final curtain for The Gypsy King and what a way to go out!" Tyson Fury has sensationally knocked out Dillian Whyte in the sixth round to retain his WBC heavyweight title in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley. The Gypsy King has now taken his pro record to 32 wins and a draw from 33 fights. Fury has now suggested that he will retire, and said: "I am a man of my word. This might be the final curtain for The Gypsy King and what a way to go out!" He also praised his competitor - adding: "Dillian Whyte is a warrior and I believe he will be world champion. "He is as strong as a bull and has the heart of a lion but he is messing with the best man on the planet." Fury, possessing a considerable height and reach advantage, fought most of the fight on the outside. He controlled the distance with his jab and punished Whyte with lead hooks as the challenger tried to close the distance. Whyte was floored by a stunning uppercut with a second to go in the sixth round. He staggered to his feet, but was badly dazed and the referee rightly ended proceedings. Some 94,000 people were in attendance for Fury's first fight on British soil since August 2018. Fury - who wore gloves inspired by England's flag to mark St George's Day - said: "I cannot believe that my 94,000 countrymen and women come here tonight to see me perform. "I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to every single person who bought a ticket here tonight, or stayed up late to watch on TV." Promoter Frank Warren is among those who support the 33-year-old's decision to call it quits. He said: "If it was going to be the last fight, it'll be the last fight. That's his decision, he's the guy getting in the ring. And if it is his last fight he has gone out on such a high." SOURCE: SKY NEWS

The date of Issue of Writs for the 2022 National General Elections remains at April 28, 2022 and that has not changed. The office of the Electoral Commissioner reiterated on this following speculations the tentative schedule for the 2022 NGE has been changed. The office further said there have been no changes to the nominations dates and timings where nominations will open on April 28, 2022 after 4pm and close on May 05, 2022 after 4pm. The nomination period will be for seven days and campaign period will be for 58 days starting on April 28, 2022 and end on June 24, 2022. Polling will start on June 25, 2022 and end on July 8, 2022 for a period of 14 days. Counting will start on July 9, 2022 for a period of 21 days and the date for the Return of Writs stands at July 29, 2022.

New Ireland PPC, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat was highly commended for his SMART POLICING Concept by the new, NGI Assistant Commander Police (ACP), Perou N'dranou who was in the Province on Thursday. ACP N'dranou was accorded the traditional Royal PNG Constabulary protocol of being received by the Guard of Honour Parade hosted by PPC Nebanat. N'dranou's pioneer visit to New Ireland is part of his familiarization call, to ensure, he has a realistic overview of the state of Police affairs in each Province of the region. N'dranou stated that, there are three things, he aims to achieve. The first priority on his list is "getting the basic fundamentals of Policing right again." "It doesn't need money to achieve this priority, all it takes is for each and every single officer to do their job, and to do it right," he said. The 2nd priority is to have "zero tolerance to Public Nuisance while the 3RD priority is the "Public Stakeholders Partnership with Police." On that note, he commended PPC Nebanat for taking a proactive approach through the SMART Policing Concept which aligns perfectly with the regional focus areas that ACP N'dranou aims to achieve. "This is the way forward, using whatever limited resources we have to come up with smart, innovative approaches to show that we can perform, that is the only way to attract partnership," N'dranou stressed. N'dranou was recently appointed as ACP NGI and New Ireland is the second Province that he is visiting apart from East New Britain (where he will be based) with plans to visit Manus and West New Britain in the near future. Police and Rural station Commanders of rural post from Konos, Lakurumau and Taskul Police and Lihir Police stations were highly commended for travelling into Kavieng to meet their new ACP.

A ban on the sale of cheap alcohol products is being considered by relevant authorities in light of the upcoming 2022 National General Elections activities. Police Minister William Onglo made mention of this in Parliament recently following concerns raised by Goroka MP Aiye Tambua on the effect these alcohol have on youths around the time of election. Tambua said in the Highlands provinces, the issue of youths buying and consuming cheap alcohol products has been an ongoing issue. “Can we have a ban in place during the election period so that youths cannot afford these cheap alcohol products and cause issues during elections?” Mr Tambua asked. Minister Onglo in response said discussions are ongoing at this time on the issue between provincial governments and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. “Heading towards the election, we’ll come up with a list of certain provinces that are considered volatile and will put in place a ban on the sale of these cheap alcohol products in those provinces.”

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) continues to invest in local charities and non-profit organisations that are making a difference in communities where the bank operates in. The PNG City Mission Centre in Port Moresby on Wednesday April 20, 2022, received a much-needed help of K5, 000 from BSP to continue its necessary work in the community. BSP Financial Analyst Cantika Marjen, when presenting the cheque to PNG City Mission said, “Supporting local causes and charities is a core community values of the bank and we believe, as a peoples bank, we not only finance economic growth, but also giving back to our communities to help provide for our people.” “Over the years, BSP has supported communities through volunteerism, charity and responsible approaches where we aspire to help our communities grow into vibrant places to live and work in. This includes investing in our annual community projects initiatives that contribute towards education, health, sports and environment,” said Marjen. Port Moresby City Mission General Manager Gerald Bengesser, received the donation saying, “We are caring for up to 450 young men and in many instances, this is the only chance for these young men have ever had for a better future. Pleasingly, your assistance will mean so much to us. Thank you BSP.” The charity organisation offers young men a no cost, 15-month live-in vocational and agricultural training program, including a comprehensive literacy program. Currently running life-skill training centers in Port Moresby, Lae and Madang, supporting the homeless and neglected youth roaming the streets of these cities. Many of whom have not attended school and have almost no literacy and numeracy skills. As a bank that understands people and community, we continue to build relationships with and enhance livelihood of our communities.

The 2022 Digicel Cup Season will finally kick off this weekend as 12 franchise clubs go into their final preparations to take the field come Sunday 24th of April 2022. For the first time in three years, there will be a full 17 round season for the Digicel Cup this year and the PNG NRL Competition (PNGNRLC) in partnership with PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and their sponsors Digicel PNG and SP Brewery are looking forward to delivering a much bigger and better Digicel Cup competition. PNGNRLC Manager Mr Ora Gairo said all franchise clubs have completed most of the requirements and are set for this weekend’s kickoff with games to be staged in Port Moresby, Lae and the Highlands region. Mr Gairo also mentioned that an approval certificate has been received from the PNG Sports Federation Pandemic Management Committee granting 50% approval at the moment by the Pandemic Controller for the games to commence this weekend. “We are continuously working with all parties concerned to ensure that all compliance and everything that is required by the Pandemic Management Committee is adhered to at all times,” Mr Gairo said. Mr Gairo said it will also be a critical year for the Digicel Cup seeing that the competition will be managed around Covid19 and most importantly around the 2022 National General Elections and so allowances have been factored into the overall season outline to cater for these, especially during the election period. He further stated that with the likely possibility of polling dates being delayed a little further, the PNGNRLC and PNGRFL are on standby to make the necessary adjustments in order to allow for players and team officials to be given the opportunity to cast their votes in their respective electorates. Gairo also acknowledged the sponsors who have made it possible for the Digicel Cup Competition to once again commence for another great season of professional football. “I would like to take this time to thank our main sponsor Digicel PNG and our platinum sponsor SP Brewery for yet again giving their support this year as well as our other key sponsors as without the support of our sponsors, we would not have a competition to launch.” “With our theme for this year being ‘Taking the Game Higher’, I would also like to take this time to invite or welcome any form of support from corporate houses to support the game where they see fit as there are still a few minor areas where support is needed,” Mr Gairo said. Ronan Wilcox of Digicel PNG who was present for the soft launch said that Digicel PNG is delighted to be the main sponsor of the competition and further mention that the organization takes pride in a 12-year history as being the naming rights sponsor of the Digicel Cup Competition. “We are absolutely delighted to continue our support and we look forward to another great season of rugby league and are excited to see which teams are going to progress through to the grand final this year and we wish all the 12 franchises the best for the season ahead,” Mr Wilcox said.

Vodafone PNG tonight officially launched its state-of-the-art network at a Corporate launch event held at APEC Haus, with retail outlets starting operations from tomorrow. Chief guest, Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil who attended the launch on the Prime Ministers behalf said, “Recently much has been said about the lack of benefits cascading to end-users, especially with falling wholesale data prices and therefore, Vodafone PNG’s entry into the market has been eagerly awaited and couldn’t have come at a better time. “The launch marks a significant milestone in what is expected to be the stimulus needed to spur increased competition, resulting in a more liberalized ICT sector with affordable access to connectivity, increased market penetration and greater choice for consumers and businesses. We will invest to the tune of $3 billion Kina into PNG, which is a testament to Vodafone’s commitment to improving the telecommunications infrastructure and connecting the unconnected”, said Kalpana Lal, Chairperson of Vodafone PNG. PNG Government’s ICT policy is focused on digital transformation, through the use of digital technologies to improve governance and progress the Government’s digital economy agenda. It is the Government’s policy objective to promote sustainable competition in the information and communications technology sector and to ensure affordability, accessibility and connectivity through increased market penetration. We believe Vodafone PNG’s entry as the third mobile operator will rejuvenate competition in the market and aid in connecting more Papua New Guineans to the internet. Regional Chief Executive Pradeep Lal said, “We are launching with just over 500 base stations, covering Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Hagen and Goroka, which covers approximately 50% of the population. However, the journey does not stop here. In the next 8 months, Vodafone PNG intends to have 800 sites live, progressively expanding coverage to 22 provinces.” Within the next 12-18 months, Lal hopes to have 1200 sites on air, covering more than 90% of PNG’s population. He said, “We have received great support and feedback from everyone, including the Government, corporate sector and the people of PNG, and we are really excited to provide Papua New Guineans with more choice and a greater level of affordability when it comes to keeping in touch and staying connected.” A recent study by Deloitte suggests that if developing countries could bridge the gap in internet penetration to reach the levels developed economies enjoy today, they would experience large increases in GDP growth, increased productivity and improvements in health conditions and education opportunities, particularly for its rural and remote communities. In fact, a well-developed, robust and affordable telecommunications infrastructure and ecosystem are critical to supporting the development of other industries and sectors and bridging the digital divide is bound to have a profound impact on people’s lives and the PNG economy. PNG has a low market penetration with 37% mobile phone and 20% internet penetration, with approximately 1 million customers actively using social media. Lal believes that given the low market penetration levels in PNG, the rate of rapid change and increased reliance on digitalization and connectivity, Telecommunications will remain an important industry for at least the next 100 years and one that will have a long-lasting and transformational legacy. He says, “This is one industry that has the potential to significantly transform lives through access to online information, education, telemedicine, financial inclusion, eCommerce and economic inclusion. From tomorrow, customers can pick up free sims from any of Vodafone’s 15 retail outlets and kiosks and over 100 roadshow outlets. There is a music festival planned for Customers on Saturday at Sir John Guise Stadium; the program commences at 2pm with heaps of entertainment, featuring various local artists, special deals, promotions and fantastic prizes. This event is free for the public to attend. Lal said, “Customers can expect simple plans with value-packed bundles, starting as low as 1 Kina per day with an unlimited talk for an hour and data plans starting at 3 Kina per day for 1 GB. There are various other daily, weekly and monthly bundles to choose from.” Based on initial assessment, Vodafone plans are much cheaper than what is offered in the market today and come with a lot more value. This is great news for customers, who are always looking out for the best deals. Vodafone also has launched an introductory offer of $89 on an Alcatel 4G smartphone, which makes it relatively affordable for customers to connect and experience faster data speeds on Vodafone’s 3G/4G+ network. Vodafone will also offer a comprehensive suite of ICT solutions, primarily targeted at businesses and corporate customers. Along with value-packed mobile and data bundles, closed user-groups and cloud-based solutions, Vodafone will offer a one-stop -shop solution for business customers, which will set new standards in PNG. “We are excited to be here and look forward to welcoming customers who are eager to connect to our state-of-the-art network and start enjoying cost-effective and reliable services. We are being  viewed as the breath of fresh air needed to stimulate and rejuvenate the Telecommunications sector. For a long time, the people of PNG have complained about the high cost of telecommunications and data and the question of affordability and reach have almost become rhetoric. As people’s reliance on connectivity becomes ever so crucial, access to affordable and reliable connectivity is no longer a luxury, but an essential service. We are here to change the narrative and the people of PNG have a lot to look forward to”, said Lal.

The Allied Tradesmen, Construction and Mining Workers Union of PNG will be officially launching its’ establishment tomorrow at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium in Port Moresby. National General Secretary Mr Benjamin Trinity Yalo said the Union which was officially registered by the Office of the National Registrar on February 23 this year is mainly focused on serving and attending to the needs of the blue-collar workforce in the country which includes workers from the oil and gas and petroleum sectors. “The union was established recently under the industrial relations act of Papua New Guinea for workers in the mining and construction industries and tradesmen workers across the country.” “The purpose of the organization is to represent our blue-collar workforce in PNG as they have been a forgotten workforce since independence.” “For close to 46 years, workers in the mining sector, especially the oil and gas and petroleum and energy sector have been neglected and for that reason, Allied Tradesmen, Construction and Mining Workers Union of PNG was established to accommodate this blue-collar workforce and will be officially launching our Union at the Sir John Guise Stadium tomorrow,” Mr Yalo said. The launching will be officiated by the Prime Minister James Marape with PNG Trade Union Congress' John Paska as the guest speaker and Mr Powes Parkop NCD Governor, Industrial Registrar Helen Saliu and the minister responsible for Labor and Employment Relations Mr Kapil being confirmed to attend the event as well. All 26 sister trade unions in the country have been invited to attend the launching event as well as students and representatives from TVET institutions around the country. Also attending the launching will be employees and workforce from the mining industry. Mr Yalo said so far, there has been a widespread interest for membership to the union and they have already registered a good number of members. “We have received and registered over 3000 membership applications from the blue-collar workforce and at present there are 13 branches of Allied Workers Union across Papua New Guinea to service the needs of the workforce,” Mr Yalo said. Mr Yalo further highlighted some of the main focus areas or notable benefits of the Allied Tradesmen, Construction and Mining Workers Union of PNG and they are as follows: To represent the workforce and be a mouthpiece for the workforce and advocate on issues affecting the workers Legal assistance in the event that a member is terminated without any valid reason Welfare funds for affected family members Savings and Loans Society for members Life Insurance apart from what the employers offer The event which is said to attract interest from the general public as well will be taking place from 12noon to 4pm tomorrow at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium in Port Moresby.

The popular boy band Stagajah remained true to their words and had presented musical instruments to the Jubilee Catholic Secondary School in Port Moresby this week. This first-of-its-kind initiative was made possible after the renowned band held a concert in Port Moresby, "Juca Go Back Night" and committed 50% of the funds raised to the Arts Department of the Jubilee Secondary School. This week the Stagajah band presented 15 acoustic guitars valued at around K9,000 to the school which they had purchased from the funds they raised. “This is the first of its kind whereby we have members of certain bands in the city where they’ve gotten this initiative to be able give back to a school where they’ve come out from.” “In the last two years, we’ve actually spent quite a lot of money in buying equipment that should allow students to learn what they need to learn particularly in music,” said School Principal, Mrs Barbara Miles. Mrs Miles thanked the Stagajah band and the other supporting artists who made it possible for the school to receive much needed musical instruments for the students to use. Meanwhile Stagajah band songwriter and rapper, Gaiix said that they started their community service initiative last year when they donated four (4) acoustic guitars to Cheshire Homes. He said that they chose Jubilee Catholic Secondary since he is an Ex-Jubilee student himself and two of his other band members are also ex-Lasallians. Present at the school to do the presentation of the acoustic guitars was the Stagajah band members and Rhee who performed on the concert night as well. Gaiix added that they will continue to give back to the community through their music.