The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) received two brand new buses, donated by the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) to support the transportation needs of the students, faculty and staff. The keys to a 25-seater coaster bus and a 15-seater HiAce bus were handed over by NGCB Chief Operating Officer Mr. Paul Ketombing on Thursday 5th May 2023, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer Imelda Agon to UPNG Acting Registrar Roboam Kakap at the Ela Motors, Badili Showroom in Port Moresby. “The donation is part of NGCB’s ‘give back program’ ongoing commitment to supporting education and community development.” “We are proud to partner with UPNG to provide these buses, which we believe will enhance the educational experience of students and contribute to the growth of the university community.” Meanwhile, UPNG Acting Registrar Mr. Roboam Kakap said, “We are extremely grateful for this donation, which will make a significant difference in the daily lives of our students, faculty and staff.” “We are currently struggling with the issue of transport since some of our vehicles are unroadworthy and not in operation at this juncture.” “Our focus is to ensure smooth flow of university’s day to day operation and with this timely donation will certainly help us achieve our key result areas and continue to deliver quality education, research, and service to PNG and the Pacific. “On behalf of the University council, academics, staff and students, I sincerely extend our profound gratitude and thank the Board Chairman Mr. Clemence Kanau, CEO Ms. Imelda Agon for this donation.” The buses will be operated by UPNG’s transportation department, which will ensure their proper maintenance and use. With the addition of these two buses, the University of Papua New Guinea is better equipped to serve its students, faculty, and staff by providing safe, reliable and convenient transportation options. The 25 -seater coaster bus will be used by students and 15 -seater HiAce bus will be used by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

A commanding 32-6 victory over the Sea Eagles on Friday night has ensured the Broncos will end Magic Round still at the top of the Telstra Premiership ladder. After being beaten soundly by the Rabbitohs last week, Brisbane returned to form in style in front of a crowd of 50,077 at Suncorp Stadium, running in six tries in a dominant display. Winger Selwyn Cobbo scored half of those tries himself and ran for 202 metres, with the only blight from a Brisbane point of view being the loss of back-rower Kurt Capewell to a failed HIA in the second half. The Broncos took little time to get going, with Reece Walsh linking with Selwyn Cobbo for the opening try, before Billy Walters burrowed over to give them a 10-0 lead on 15 minutes. By the end of a first half in which they had 63 percent of the ball, the Broncos had run in further tries to Cobbo and Jesse Arthars to lead 20-0. While the possession count levelled out in the second 40 and Manly enjoyed prolonged periods in attacking territory, they couldn't find a way through and eventually the result was put beyond doubt by a long-range Cobbo intercept. Herbie Farnworth got over for Brisbane's sixth in the closing minutes, with Adam Reynolds adding his fourth conversion of the night, before Ben Trbojevic scored a late consolation try for the Sea Eagles.   Source: NRL.com

Students attending Kido Elementary and Primary school in the Central Province will now be equipped with the much needed vital learning materials to do their research and enhance their literacy skill with the opening of their very own Library. The Library is the first library built under the NuiPower’s Community Investment Program said NuiPower Financial Manager Agnes Juwana. She said the construction phase of the library took nearly a year to complete at a cost of K400, 000. Five of the target landowner villages will also receive a library each, starting off with Lealea and moving to the other villages. She said, Kido received theirs first, Lealea will be next, followed by Papa, Boera and Porebada. “In the next two weeks or so, we will build another Library in Lealea. The procurement has already started and the contractors has identified and we will start on that soon. ” “Next year we will start at Papa and move on to the remaining two villages.” Kido Primary Headmaster Mr. Douglas Benoni said, the Library will be a big help to the teachers of the school and most importantly, the students. Mr. Benoni said, the building will be very important to them as all their school resources and curriculums will be kept there for safe keeping and a vital asset to the children and students of Kido as it will be a good research facility and for them to engage themselves in reading. He said, Kido is situated in a rural area and having access to such materials like textbooks, reading books and other learning resources is quite difficult. “We were only using the strategy of classroom library and whatever few books we had, our students used. But with the opening of this library, our students will have access to the much need learning resources. And we are very grateful for our new library.” Mr. Benoni has encouraged the 108 Elementary and 137 Primary students to make use of their new library and to look after it as it provides the knowledge if they only open up the book and tap into it.  

The Sea Eagles and Broncos will clash in the second game of Magic Round weekend on Friday night with both sides looking to rebound after losses in Round 9. Manly's loss to the Titans was a disappointing one given they were at fortress Brookvale and it won't get any easier with their next trip north classed as a home game when they host the ladder leaders. The Broncos were comprehensively beaten by South Sydney with their second half efforts exposed in the past fortnight in a concern for Kevin Walters. Traditionally these two sides pile on the points against each other in Magic Round with the Broncos scoring a 38-0 win last year while in 2021 the Sea Eagles racked up a 50-6 scoreline against their opponents. Despite losses last week, both sides appear to have turned a corner in 2023 and will want to maintain their pace at the top of the table. Source: NRL.Com

The SP PNG Hunters are back for another home game this Saturday 06th of May, looking for another win when they host the Ipswich Jets at the Santos National Football Stadium in Round 8 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. The Hunters outplayed the Mackay Cutters last weekend to collect two competition points on the back of a resounding 18-10 win. The Hunters defended a desperate Cutters outfit as they mounted a comeback midway through both halves, but for all their desperation the Mackay Cutters never really got close. Fullback Morea Morea, centres Benji Kot and Rodrick Tai and wingers Brandon Nima and Solo Wane all topped 100 plus running metres in Round 7 as they marched the Hunters into attacking territory. From there, the spine combined smartly through Wesser Tenza, rookie five-eighth Joshua Mire and halfback Jamie Mavoko. They found points on both edges by engaging the line and passing strike attacking players like Kot and Tai into space out wide. The 8-point winning margin doesn’t truly represent the Hunters dominance in last week’s game. They made four line-breaks to one, missed less tackles and comfortably bested the Cutters in yardage on their way to their second win of the season. The challenge now is to back it up this weekend against an Ipswich Jets outfit that have endured a tough start to their 2023 Hostplus Cup campaign. The match will kick off at 3pm in the afternoon. Team List 1. Morea Morea 2. Siki Konden 3. Brandon Nima 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Solo Wane 6. Sakias Komati 7. Jamie Mavoko 8. Junior Rop 9. Wesser Tenza 1 0. Koso Bandi 11. Epel Kapinias 1 2. Julius Yakoba 13. Ila Alu (captain) 14. Judah Rimbu 15. Tom Moide 16. Henry Wan Noki 17. TBC 18. Sanny Wabo 19. Trevor Solu  

Max and Mat Feagai haven’t shared an edge since their 2019 SG Ball premiership and four years later the twin brothers are set to stand side-by-side on the Dragons' left side. Replacing regular centre Zac Lomax at No.4 for Sunday’s Magic Round clash is a huge task for Dragons junior Max but the 22-year-old will be in familiar territory when his brother Mat lines up right alongside him. Having been linked with the club since they were 13-years-old, Sunday’s Magic Round clash will mark a special occasion for the Feagai family as the two utility backs not only take the field together for just the third time in their careers but will form an edge-pairing for the first time since 2019. “I think it makes things feel a lot more comfortable, standing inside Mathew in my first starting spot in the Centres, just knowing I’ve got him outside of me and Junior (Amone) inside me,” Max told NRL.com. “We both grew up playing centre on both sides of the field and when we moved up here and started playing SG Ball they were happy for us playing next to each other and we were happy to play there too. “We give it to each other a fair bit and let each other know where we’re mucking up or anything like that, so I think that’s going to be the biggest thing, the way we talk to each other and communicate on the field. “We’ve done a lot of work together so I’m just excited to get out there and rip in. It kind of does add a special feeling to it all.” It will be a 2019 Grand Final reunion of sorts for Feagai with hooker Jayden Sullivan, fullback Tyrell Sloan, five-eighth Junior Amone and brother Mat all featuring in the Steelers 2019 SG Ball Cup Grand Final. After overcoming multiple setbacks with injury since making his debut back in 2020, the Leeton product said it's comforting to know he has already built combinations with majority of the Dragons' spine as he prepares to play just his eighth NRL game. “It’s the best feeling to play with people you're comfortable with and have already built a combination with. We all came through the grades together so now it’s just about getting back into it,” he said. “It’s been a long couple of years having not much played NRL, so performance wise I was just happy with the fact that I walked off the field last week and my teammates were happy with my performance so I’ve just got to look forward to this week coming. “I’ve played centre majority of my football but I think it makes things feel a lot more comfortable to be standing inside Mathew in my first game starting there, just knowing I’ve got him outside of me.” Meanwhile, brother Mat said after watching his twin battle a fractured fibula and high-grade syndesmosis injury last season, it will be a special occasion to stand alongside Max when he takes the NRL field for the first time as a centre. “We haven’t played on the same side since we were 18, so I’m really looking forward to that. It’s a credit to Max too, he’s worked really hard to get to where he is now and has faced a lot of adversity…I can’t wait,” Mat said. “It’s something we’ve always spoken about, being able to play on that same edge and it’s finally happening. “He’s a headache," he joked. "But it makes my job a lot easier. It’s super comfortable having just had that connection we’ve always shared. “He sprays me a bit but it goes back and forth. Just like twins and brothers do, we fight a bit and it carries out to the field but it’s all for the better. “Obviously, it’s his first crack at centre and it’s a different ball game when you get to grade, it’s a big step up from (NSW) Cup but I’m sure he’ll take it with two hands and showcase what he can do.” Having felt the heartbreak of four-consecutive losses - in which all were decided by six points or less - Mat hopes several changes to the side can help the Dragons rediscover their winning ways against the Wests Tigers this weekend. “We’ve come off the back of a couple of tough losses, ones we were a bit unlucky to not walk away with the win,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about winning and we’ve just struggled in that part of the game lately. "As a group, everyone’s just kind of trusting Hook (Anthony Griffin) with what he’s decided to go with and no one’s really kicking stones which is a good sign. “Everyone is just working really hard because as a team and a club, we just need to start winning some games.” Source: NRL.Com

Final year Public Relations class 1 Journalism students from the University of Papua New Guinea today kicked off celebrations with a road show awareness in commemoration of World Media Freedom Day. This event marked the importance of free press as a lead up to the day’s program which will end in the evening. World Press/Media Freedom Day is important because it increases awareness about the importance of press freedom highlighting the critical role that journalists and media outlets play in promoting democracy, and human rights. Out of the 87 PR Class 1 students, PNG HAUSBUNG caught up with three of the students. Gregory Wesley said today is all about the celebration of the freedom of the press. “Whatever that’s going on in the government, the people need to know about things that are happening in the country.” “And as a journalist we have to give out the right information without suppression from the government or anyone that wants to overturn the right to information.” Bramo Tinkira said Media Freedom Day is all about the celebration for free press and a day to also remember past journalists who passed on during their time of service. Meanwhile, Benson Wema told PNG HAUSBUNG this day is very important to him as we take time to remember those that were in the front line reporting on such important events. “As a young journalist, we must live up to that standard. Media plays a powerful role in society today.” “Many times, we can see that the media is influenced by political agendas and that drives the truth away from the light.” “World Media Freedom Day is just for us to strengthen those channels of communications and the government should also look at ways to support the channel of communication.” He further stressed that the government should advocate more about World Media Freedom day and the importance of the role it plays in disseminating factual information.

To ensure sports becomes a platform for development, gender equality, creating champions and instilling good values, NCD Governor Powes Parkop honored his word through the City Hall with a commitment of K60, 000 to Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA). The commitment was manifested on Sunday 30th April to sponsor a one-month soccer pre-season hosted and managed by PMSA. The cheque was presented when the pre-season was entering its final rounds of the season. Governor Parkop, a staunch sports sponsor throughout his 16-year political reign, did the cheque presentation during PMSA AGM in #AmazingPortMoresby. Speaking during the presentation, he said he would talk to corporate houses to boost the sponsorship with a further K40, 000. “Sports is a powerful medium and tool for development." “It’s more than just a game. It’s a real platform where we can achieve many goals that we find in so many of our visions. Vision 2050, the Medium Term Development Plans and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Governor Parkop said since taking office in 2007; his passion has been to transform #AmazingPortMoresby in all facets of life - social, economic, physical and cultural. He admitted that the challenges are still there: “I must do all that I can, and I recognise sports as part of that equation, so I keep supporting sports in different codes; rugby league, supporting team Port Moresby Vipers, and I have been supporting other sports as well.” Governor Parkop added he was hopeful that after the AGM and election of new executives of PMSA, better dialogues would be established to see how they can work together in partnership, using this platform for development and giving young people hope for a better tomorrow. “Soccer is a beautiful, skillful game played globally in all countries”, he said, “adding opportunities for the city and entire country to become part of the global movement”. He said plans are in place for the Vipers to secure a spot in the New South Wales Rugby League, indicating opportunities for Port Moresby Soccer to enter the North Queensland League in the near future. This year the #AmazingPortMoresby will host the Oceania Soccer Women’s Championship in June.

Despite the SP PNG Hunters claiming their first home win and second win of the season in Round 7 of the QRL Hostplus Cup after downing the Mackay Cutters 14-10, they are learning from their mistakes and vow to make improvements, especially their kicking game and preparations leading up to their matches. Assistant Coach Paul Aiton told PNG HAUSBUNG, “There’s a drastic difference with their defence strategy played over the weekend and that proves that the team can display outstanding wins but the team just needs to work on their preparations leading to the game. “When it starts to get to these levels, you must prepare during the week for the game. You can’t just turn up to play and we had a discussion last week and the boys recognized that and they came to play.” Hunters Captain Ila Alu said, they had a tough 3 weeks leading up to their last match over the weekend, but with two of their boys training down-south with the NRL Dolphin’s squad its a bonus and will also give a boost to the team for this weekend’s third home game against the Ipswich Jets at Santos NFS. “It’s a good step in the right direction for rugby league and for PNG as well. They both showed an outstanding play of rugby league over the weekend and that’s something that had a lot of input into the team.” “Both teammates training with the Dolphins also paves a way for not only themselves but for other PNG rugby players that are coming up through the ranks and that there’s opportunities out there that they can utilize if they only commit themselves to their cause and they can see their dreams becoming a reality.” Meanwhile, Aiton further added Hunters fullback Morea Morea has been a target for the past weeks given his skills-set displayed on the field. “I know that there already calling his name already and he must know this. But the good thing is his aware of it. Obliviously his a very tough player and were also trying to put some weight on him, but he’s a tough kid, so em bai orait.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) handed over to the PNG National Department of Health 10 colour GeneXpert Instruments and 500 cartridges, to support the Tuberculosis program in the country last Friday. The instruments will help scale up TB diagnosis for early detection, treatment and care for people affected by this highly infectious and deadly disease in PNG. In a small yet significant handover ceremony, WHO-PNG Officer in Charge, Dr Mollent Okech said WHO was committed to supporting NDOH in its efforts to end TB. “We are working together with the government of PNG and other partners to scale up TB diagnosis, prevention and care.” “Detecting TB rapidly and identifying drug resistant TB on the spot are essential to improving the care of affected people and avoid transmission in the community.” “The GeneXpert instruments are highly sensitive and will detect TB and resistance to the most important medicines used for treatment of drug- resistant TB.” “The machines can also be used to test and diagnose other diseases including COVID-19, HIV, hepatitis, HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases.” Deputy Health Secretary, Mr. Ken Wai was on hand to receive the Instruments. In thanking WHO he said WHO was a trusted partner, the department could always count on in medicine and health for technical support and advise. He added, partnerships as such are very important in supporting the work of the department.

A five star performance by Luke Brooks inspired Wests Tigers to a gutsy 12-8 defeat of back-to-back premiers Penrith that ended a 273-day drought since their last win. Brooks led last season's wooden spooners to their first win under the club's new coaching staff of 2005 premiership winning mentor Tim Sheens, David Furner and Tigers greats Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah. The often maligned halfback produced two 40:20 kicks that led to tries, ran the ball 10 times for 69 metres and finished with a try assist and six line breaks as the Tigers claimed the Royce Simmons Cup in wet conditions before a capacity Bathurst crowd. Tigers captain Api Koroisau, who played in Penrith's 2021 and 2022 grand final triumphs, also starred against his former club, while rookie fullback Jahream Bula had a game to remember. Brooks got his team on the front foot from the outset with a 40:20 kick in the first set of tackles in the match. Brooks then laid on the opening try of the match for Fiji playmaker Brandon Wakeham, who swooped on a perfectly weighted grubber into the Panthers in-goal from his halves partner to score in the third minute. Former Tiger Tyrone Peachey, who returned to Penrith in the off-season, hit back for the premiers just two minutes later to score off a Jarome Luai grubber kick. The Tigers then had to endure the sinbinning of centre Brent Naden after a shoulder charge on Panthers second-rower Zac Hosking but they did not concede a point while a man short. Samoa World Cup hero Stephen Crichton put Penrith ahead 8-6 with a 30th minute penalty goal but Wakeham levelled the scores with a penalty goal of his own just on halftime. Brooks started the second half as he had the first, by producing a second 40:20 kick as the Tigers continued to mount pressure on Penrith. David Nofoaluma regained the lead for Wests Tigers when he crossed in the 50th minute after Wakeham combined with rookie fullback Jahream Bula, who threw an overhead pass for the veteran winger. However, Wakeham was unable to convert and the Tigers were forced to cling to a four point lead. A try saving tackle by Bula jolted the ball from the grasp of Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary and he produced a deft grubber at the other end before trapping Dylan Edwards behind his line and force a goal line drop out. The Panthers were forced to play 10 minutes late in the game a man down after hooker Soni Luke was sin-binned for a hip drop tackle on Tigers prop Alex Twal. Wakeham missed an attempt at goal from the penalty that would have given the Tigers a six point lead but they hung on to achieve their first win of the season. Source: NRL.com

Through its 2022-2023 Leadership for Change Community Grants program, Digicel PNG Foundation will give K1million worth of grants to support 20 selected local organizations from the country. Through the Leadership for Change Community Grants Program, Digicel Foundation provides grants up to K50, 000 to local organizations across the country who are delivering projects in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, sustainable livelihoods, and safety. In addition to the grants, Digicel Foundation provides support in terms of capacity building, coordination and monitoring to ensure that these organizations successfully deliver their projects. The Community Grants Program has been provided annually since 2019, and to date has given K3.5 million. The grants for these twenty organizations will go towards supporting projects such as safe houses, sports development, medical equipment, advocacy on gender-based violence, education, agriculture and WASH programs. Digicel PNG Foundation CEO Serena Sasingian thanked the 20 local organizations for their commitment and tireless efforts in following the application process and congratulated them for being the successful recipients. She also acknowledged and thanked all the organizations who submitted their applications last year, and encouraged them and others to apply for the 2023-2024 Community Grants Program, which will soon be launched. ‘’We continue to receive an overwhelming number of applications for our Community Grants program every year, which shows us that there is a real need to support local organizations. Digicel Foundation will continue this program so that we can continue to help those who are providing solutions to local problems and making a difference in their communities.’’ Representatives from each of the selected 20 organizations will be attending a capacity building training in Madang next month to learn the monitoring and reporting aspects of the program, so they are able to effectively implement their projects within the timeframe.