‘Around 10 years old, my favourite sport was volleyball. I hated playing cricket. My father who is a former Barramundis player would always encourage me to play cricket, but I never listened. When I reached 13, I started playing cricket in the Hanuabada village competition. I really liked cricket from then on.’ PIH U19 Cricket PNG all-rounder from Hanuabada tells his story of how he got into the game of cricket. By age 15 he had joined the local cricket club and things just evolved from there. Now at 17 and enthusiastically training for his debut on the international stage, he says the game has taught him so much. ‘I learnt a lot of things through cricket beyond like batting and fielding techniques, like respect the coaches and our parents.’ ‘Training has been good. I still need to work on my running and batting skills, as we’ve only had a few months of training. But I’m very excited to be playing in the World Cup and a bit nervous of travelling.’ Sharing the same sentiments as most of his other teammates, John says he just wants to learn as much as he can from the other participating countries that will be at the World Cup. ‘I like retired Australian cricketer, Mitchel Johnson. He bowls a lot of trick balls and I’ve never seen a bowler bowl like that before. Especially for him as a left-handed bowler and me being one too.’ Before the U19 team’s first game in the World Cup, he has a few words of encouragement for his teammates. ‘Mi laik tok tasol long ol mangi olsem, mipla go long nem blong kantri. And I want to encourage them to think big. [I’d like to remind the boys that we’re doing this for our country.] John would like to thank his family for always encouraging him to join the sport since he was a boy. He also extends his gratitude towards Cricket PNG for the opportunity to make the team – a truly unforgettable experience for him.

The PNG National Power Grid Backbone Infrastructure Project involving 6 provinces, was originally developed to meet the growing energy requirements of major populations, enterprise, and industrial resource concerns in the region. This is a project of substantial national importance, affecting the livelihoods of millions of Papua New Guineans. The project is in line with government’s desire to improve access by PNG households to reliable power supply. The project was originally approved 6 years ago, based on transmission feasibility reports published in 2014. After an exhaustive international tender selection process, Tebian Electric Apparatus Stock Co., Ltd (TBEA) were contracted to deliver phase 1 and later, phase 2 of the project. TBEA has a 75-year history of transformer manufacturing and 60 years of wire and cable fabricating. It is a leading enterprise in the power transmission and distribution industry, with one of the largest Research & Development export bases in the world. This is a critical project delivered by a world class contractor. The NEC approved the project variation to add the Tari to Hides 132kV transmission and substation project in its Decision No. 138/2021, with contracts executed in July 2021 at a widely publicized event attended by the Prime Minister Hon James Marape, Minister for State Enterprises Hon William Duma, the PNG Power Chairman Moses Maladina and Board member Chey Scovell, and the former Managing Director of Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) Isikeli Taureka. This critical addition will strengthen and diversify the power supply to the network, by connecting gas generation assets in Hides to homes and businesses. This project makes absolute commercial sense to PNG Power. The aim of the main project is to build the transmission network necessary to access cheap gas power from Hides to improve generation availability and reliability at the western end of the Highlands region to support generation from Pauanda and Yonki. The outcome of the project will reduce generation cost and power disruption caused by generation shortfall for the upper Highlands centres including Mt. Hagen. Tari will no longer rely on expensive diesel generation, with a move to cleaner cheaper locally extracted gas-powered generation. Ramu1 and Yonki hydro assets will have more available capacity to supply lower highlands centres, Lae and Madang. KCH is funding the K71million project variation, through a shareholder lending arrangement to PNG Power. This adds to over a billion kina in total project funding for this vital infrastructure. This project is part of PNG Power’s 15-year power development plan and supports the company’s move to accessing cheaper energy production, whilst increasing transmission capacity and reliability.

The SP PNG Hunters are delighted to announce that the Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay will once again be the home away from home for the SP PNG Hunters in 2022. Located at the northern-end of the Gold Coast, the GC Performance Centre is a premier sporting facility boasting state of the art equipment and lodgings and the SP PNG Hunters are excited to continue this relationship into the 2022 season after living and training onsite there last year. Director of the Centre, Brendan Flynn said he is pleased to see the SP PNG Hunters return. “After successfully hosting the Hunters during the 2021 season, our staff and members are very excited to welcome them back to their second home, the Gold Coast Performance Centre for the 2022 season. While 2021 was challenging, it was fantastic to watch the development of the Hunters through the year and we look forward to being part of their journey next season and beyond,” he said. It was a difficult process for the club to relocate from PNG to Runaway Bay last year amid the COVID pandemic, however a strong finish to the 2021 season saw the SP PNG Hunters win three of their last four games and finish the competition on a high. SP PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker says he is excited for the club to pick up where they left off last year and carry that momentum over into the 2022 season. “Last year certainly wasn’t without its challenges but I am proud of the way the club responded. The playing squad in particular showed great resilience and they will take plenty of confidence from the way they finished the 2021 season,’ he said. Although the SP PNG Hunters’ spiritual home will always be in PNG, the club is pleased to be based out of Runaway Bay again this year and are excited at the opportunity to once again represent PNG in the 2022 QRL competition. The SP PNG Hunters will arrive in Australia in late January before kicking off the 2022 Hostplus competition on Saturday 19th of March against the Mackay Cutters.

Wales have received a shot in the arm after Bath’s director of rugby, Stuart Hooper, revealed that Taulupe Faletau should make his return to action when the Six Nations starts in February. The 31-year-old has been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa and last played in the second Test of that series at the end of July. But Hooper said the Cardiff-bound number eight is close to a return to action. “Taulupe is not too far away,” he told the BBC. “It’s an aggravation of the ankle injury he picked up the first time he trained with us after the Lions tour. Making progress “It’s just that which is keeping him away from training, but he’s progressed in the last few weeks and hopefully we’ll see him back out there sooner rather than later.” Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Dublin on February 5 and when asked if he believes Faletau will be fit for that encounter, Hooper replied: “Yeah, I think so. Taulupe’s a world class player and always gets talked about when the Six Nations comes around, but he’s not played rugby since before the Lions Test matches. “So that’s a long time without playing and we want to see him back playing for Bath as soon as possible. Then I’m sure Wales will want to look at him after that.” SOURCE: PLANET RUGBY

Air Niugini in partnership with Smartvel, a leading destination content provider, has launched a new interactive COVID-19 travel requirements map on www.airniugini.com to help make it easier for its customers to stay up-to-date with international travel restrictions and entry regulations worldwide. Given the ever-changing nature of COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government-imposed travel requirements in response to the outbreak globally, Air Niugini sees the need to keep its customers informed on the latest international travel information as they plan their travel. Air Niugini’s interactive travel restrictions map offers complete information about: Entry restrictions Quarantine measures COVID-19 tests Information specific to vaccinated passengers. Testing labs in Origin and Destination Forms & Applications required Health Insurance Local Health Information Connecting flights information The tool comes in-built with a simple color-coded map to show if a destination is closed, partially open, fully open and if any tests or self-quarantining is required for travel. Customers can also filter and view destinations’ COVID-19 related travel restrictions with personalized results based on origin, destination, nationality, residency and vaccination status. This information comes from trustworthy sources such as International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other official Government sites, and all sources are checked every hour in order to guarantee that the information is current. By providing the most up-to-date information about travel requirements with this easy-to-use interactive map all in one place, Air Niugini aims to help travelers conveniently plan and prepare ahead of their next trip with a peace of mind. Air Niugini's Travel Requirements Map can be accessed on www.airniugini.com or link:  https://www.airniugini.com.pg/international-travel-restrictions-and-requirements

Novak Djokovic has broken his silence in Australia to thank supporters after the country’s Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said he is “free to leave any time” and is not being detained. The 34-year-old is being held in isolation at the Park Hotel in Carlton, Melbourne, awaiting the outcome of an appeal against the decision by the Australian Border Force (ABF) to cancel the reigning Australian Open champion’s entry visa and deport him. The appeal is set to be heard on Monday. On Friday, Djokovic broke his silence as he wrote: “Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,” as part of an Instagram story. He added in Serbian: “Thank you to my family, Serbia and all good people across the world who are sending me support. Thanks to dear God for health.” Earlier, the ABF also cancelled Czech tennis player Renata Voracova’s visa before the Australian Open, and detained her in the same immigration hotel as Djokovic. Voracova was informed by ABF officials that she had to leave the country and the Czech Foreign Ministry later confirmed she would be dropping out of the tournament. “Renata Voracova decided to drop out of the tournament due to limited possibilities for training and to leave Australia,” a statement read on Friday. Doubles specialist Voracova played in Melbourne earlier this week but has since been detained by Border Force officials as authorities reassessed the entrance documents of two people following the drama involving Djokovic. Djokovic has never revealed whether he is vaccinated against Covid-19, but has criticized mandates ruling that players must be double-jabbed, and posted on social media before setting off to say he had received “exemption permission”. Australia Home Affairs Minister Andrews maintained Djokovic was not being detained under any duress in the country, however, as he waits in quarantine for his appeal against visa cancellation to be heard. “Mr Djokovic is not being held captive in Australia,” she told ABC. “He is free to leave at any time that he chooses to do so and Border Force will actually facilitate that. “We treat all people who are in immigration detention fairly, equitably.” She added: “A visa was granted for entry, but that does not guarantee entry. “He (Djokovic), along with any other individual who is seeking to enter Australia, also has to meet the entry requirements which at this point includes medical evidence of vaccination or alternatively medical reasons why that individual cannot be vaccinated. “He hasn’t met the entry requirements - there is a lot of chatter about the visa, but that in my understanding is not the issue, it is the entry requirements…that he was not able to produce the evidence which was needed for entry into Australia.” Parents: They’re crucifying him On Thursday, Djokovic’s father demonstrated outside the National Assembly buildings, and said of his son: “He met all the required conditions for the entry and participation at the tournament that he would have certainly won, since it’s Novak, the best tennis player and sportsman in the world.” Srdjan Djokovic added: “Jesus was crucified and endured many things, but is still alive among us. Novak is also crucified... he will endure.” The family also held an emotional news conference at his restaurant in central Belgrade, with his nine previous Australian Open trophies on display. “They are keeping him in captivity. They are stomping all over Novak to stomp all over Serbia and the Serbian people,” his father Srdjan added, who also told local media his son was “the Spartacus of the new world”. He also said the visa issue was “nothing to do with sport, it is a political agenda”. His mother, Dijana, added: “They are keeping him as a prisoner, that’s not human and it’s not fair. “This is a political attack on Novak Djokovic...he is a scapegoat.” Outside the Melbourne hotel in which Djokovic is quarantining, Serbian supporters continue to gather and say they will keep doing so until he is released. Djokovic’s wife Jelena has expressed her gratitude to the player’s fans for “using your voice to send love to my husband.” In Instagram and Twitter posts marking Christmas in Serbia, Jelena Djokovic wrote: “Thank you dear people, all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband. “I am taking a deep breath to calm down and find gratitude (and understanding) in this moment for all that is happening. “The only law that we should all respect across every single border is Love and respect for another human being. “Love and forgiveness is never a mistake but a powerful force. Wishing you all well!” Becker: Djokovic making ‘big mistake’ not getting vaccinated Novak Djokovic is making a “big mistake” if he is not getting vaccinated against Covid-19, according to his former coach Boris Becker. Becker - himself a former world No 1 and twice Australian Open champion, as well as winning three Wimbledon singles titles - enjoyed a successful three-year partnership with Djokovic, which included six Grand Slam victories. The 54-year-old maintains a close relationship with the Serb, but feels their views on how to best protect against coronavirus are very different. “On this occasion, I think he is making a big mistake in not getting vaccinated,” Becker said in the Daily Mail. “It is one that threatens what remains of his career and his chance to cement himself as the greatest player of all time. “Four times I sat in his box as he won the Australian Open, so I am fully aware of his great strengths as an incredible competitor. I also think he has a great character that can easily be misunderstood. “Yet these strengths can also be weaknesses. The same incredible determination which I saw win so many close matches can be a vulnerability with his stubbornness.” Becker feels if Djokovic does maintain his vaccine hesitancy, it could present more hurdles within his professional tennis career. “He is incredibly strong-willed, with very firm beliefs. If he does not, then in 10 years he will look back on it and realize he made a mistake,” Becker said. “It is not just about Australia. The fact is that we are living in a different world and he is going to find it very hard to live the life of a professional tennis player travelling around without the vaccination. “Those are the rules, whether one likes them or not.” Nadal: Djokovic knew the risks Rafael Nadal criticized Djokovic for “not following the rules”, saying: “If he wanted, he would be playing without a problem. “He has taken his own position and everybody is free to take their position. But there are consequences. I don’t like the situation. In some ways, I feel sorry for him. “But he knew the conditions months ago. He made his own decision.” Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has since weighed in on Twitter to call for his country to “do better” in its treatment of Djokovic. The world number 93 wrote: “Look I definitely believe in taking action, I got vaccinated because of others and for my mum’s health, but how we are handling Novak’s situation is bad, really bad. “Like these memes, headlines, this is one of our great champions but at the end of the day, he is human. Do better.” Djokovic’s Aussie Open debacle: What’s happened? Djokovic flew to Australia with a ‘vaccine exemption’ and arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, but was ultimately denied entry into the country after nine hours at the airport. The Serb’s visa was one which did not allow for medical exemptions and was cancelled, after which he was moved to hotel quarantine as his team launched an appeal - this appeal has been adjourned until Monday. SOURCE: CNBC NEWS

Strong gale force winds that can cause damage to structures and tear off tree branches, even to the point of uprooting trees is predicted to hit Port Moresby tomorrow between 8AM and 8PM. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the warning today attributing the weather situation to a rapidly developing area of low pressure in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia. It stated that Port Moresby is currently experiencing strong gusty winds of 20 knots to 34 knots and between the warning times mentioned for tomorrow, winds gust are expected to increase from 25 knots to 40 knots. The public is being cautioned to take heed of the destructive wind warning and keep away from trees, power poles and tall structures and boat operators and villagers along the coast are also advised to refrain from going out to sea at this time. NWS stated that if the low pressure continue to develop, rainfall is expected tonight and tomorrow as well.

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (“ICCC”) wishes to inform industry participants, relevant stakeholders and the general public that consistent with the ICCC Act, it has decided to hold a pre-decision Conference on the Clearance Application lodged by Telstra Corporation Limited (“Telstra”) for its proposed acquisition of Digicel (PNG) Limited (“Digicel”) and its subsidiaries. ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Paulus Ain said as required the ICCC released its Draft Determination on this application on the 5th of January, 2022. “After careful consideration of the information provided in Telstra’s Clearance application, and as well as comments received from both industry participants and other relevant stakeholders, including available market information, the has ICCC concluded in its Draft Determination that the proposed acquisition will not have, or will not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in any telecommunication services market.” Mr. Ain said. “The ICCC therefore Proposes to Give Clearance to Telstra to proceed with the proposed acquisition.” The ICCC now invites persons who may have an interest in the proposed acquisition to provide comments and or make submissions on the released Draft Determination. A copy of the Draft Determination can be accessed on ICCC’s website: www.iccc.gov.pg or can be provided upon request through the following email address: wnoah@iccc.gov.pg. All submissions will be treated as public information, except where information is marked “confidential” by the submitter. Where information is marked confidential, the submitter must provide reason(s) as to why that particular information should not be disclosed to the public or kept confidential. The ICCC will assess and decide on the confidentiality claim(s). Regarding the pre-decision Conference, formal invitation letters will be sent to certain stakeholders only to participate and as well as provide their comments and or submissions on the Draft Determination. All comments and submissions should reach the ICCC by 25th January, 2022. All queries relating to this matter should be directed to Messrs. Barzillai Dominic or Cedrick Yombi on telephone 312 4600 or email to addresses: bdominic@iccc.gov.pg; cyombi@iccc.gov.pg respectively.

‘I want to play like Nosaina Pokana because he’s a left arm bowler too.’ Karoho’s dream is to become a Kumul Petroleum PNG Barramundis player. It’s no wonder he looks to Barras bowler Nosaina for inspiration. Playing in the Pari Cricket Club at the age of seven, the now 18-year-old says making the PIH Under 19 Cricket PNG team was one of his proudest moments. ‘I loved cricket since at a young age. When I was picked, I was very happy, and I was proud. My family was very happy for me too.’ Karoho isn’t the only one in his family to represent PNG in cricket. He says he follows in his cousin’s footsteps, Vagi Kalo who also made the U19 PNG cricket team a few years back. Karoho is proud to carry that legacy through. As the U19 team continues to train hard and prepare for their World Cup games in the West Indies, Karoho encourages his teammates to simply go out and play well. That is the same talk he gives himself. ‘Yes, I’m ready for the World Cup. I just want to go there and play well and one day become a Barramundis player, just like Nosaina.’ ‘I want to experience playing other international teams. I look forward mostly to playing against Pakistan.’ The young bowler from Pari says they have been through intense training before they left, especially the last weeks and so when he has time for himself, he spends as much time as he can resting at home. ‘We have so many trainings so when I go back home, I just relax.’ When he can, he listens to one of his current favourite songs, Nasobe – a Motu hit that’s on top of his playlist. Karoho looks forward to being with his team on tour and is ready for the challenge ahead.

Prime Minister James Marape has directed the Health Department to work on direct procurement of drugs and medicines from World Health Organisation-sanctioned manufacturers and do away with the current system introduced by the previous O’Neill government. He issued the directions after a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to PNG, H.E. Shri S. Imbasekar, on Tuesday (January 4 2022). High Commissioner Imbasekar impressed upon PM Marape that India was the cheapest supplier of generic drugs – recognised by the World Health Health Organisation (WHO) – to the world. He said India could supply drugs to PNG on a government-to-government basis at a fraction of the costs PNG was currently paying to pharmaceutical companies, and save a lot of money. “My Government made a deliberate policy to do a holistic overhaul of the existing drug procurement system when we came into office in 2019,” PM Marape said. “However, a three-year drug-procurement contract issued by the O’Neill regime, was already in place and we have had to live through that. “That contract has been the subject of much controversy and riddled with allegations of corruption, including Public Accounts Committee inquiries in 2014 and 2019. “This year, as we move out of the contract period, we will move into a new drug-procurement system my Government will design.” PM Marape said lives of the people of PNG could no longer be endangered with an ineffective drug-procurement system. “We want quality drugs to be readily-available without middlemen,” he said. “This means straight to the Health Department from a trusted source. “I have directed the Health Department to immediately start procuring drugs from manufacturers like those in India. “India is a renowned pharmaceutical nation that the world relies on. “The Government, working with WHO and the Medical Pharmaceutical Board, will enter into this new direct drug-procurement system with India if all requirements are met.”

International PNG rugby league rep Keven Appo says giving back to the communities that contributed to his success in his career is a sign of respect and appreciation for all the knowledge, experiences and skills gained whilst playing rugby at the village level. The SP Hunters second-rower and member of the current train-on squad donated two sets of jerseys to his local club back in Seigu in Goroka last October before heading to Port Moresby for the first block of the Hunters pre-season training. He said the custom-made jerseys which were sourced all the way from France through an arrangement with the current Hunters Assistant Coach Paul Aiton, will be used by his local club the Eastern Suburbs which is taking part in the famous Gahuku off-season league in Goroka. The club which was established in 2010 had their first jersey presented to them by Appo’s father through collaborative efforts and then in 2014, Appo joined the team and at the same time donated the clubs second jersey which were presented to him by the late Ifisoe Segeyaro. “When I first started playing in the B grade in 2014, I brought along with me to the team a new set of jerseys which was presented to me by Late Ifisoe Segeyaro in 2012.” [caption id="attachment_18177" align="aligncenter" width="880"] Appo in the club's old jerseys presented in 2010 & 2014 respectively[/caption] “The set was used for 6 years from 2014 till last year and were to be used this year too when the competition starts except, they won’t be using them anymore as they now have two new sets of customised jerseys to play with this year and onwards.” Appo said that such gestures go a long way in boosting the morale of young boys back home who are also working hard to make their rugby dreams come true. “I was once in their shoes when I started playing in 2014 and to this date, I am the only one from the Eastern Suburbs club who has made it to the Hunters level so I definitely want to go back and invest in these young men’s dreams as well,” Appo said. The youngster who is looking forward to celebrating his 23rd birthday in 6 days’ time said that his plan for this year is to make the final cuts and to focus on winning more games in the upcoming season. “In everything we do, we all want to move forward so for me this year, the aim is to perform better than last year so that I can make it into the Kumuls team and hopefully make the cut for the Rugby League World Cup later this year.” Appo’s fellow Hunter Brandon Nima also did a similar gesture last month when he presented a jersey set to his local club the Five Mile Spartans who did not have a full set team jersey since the formation of the club in 2016. Nima said his decision to donate the jerseys was influenced by his willingness to motivate and inspire his brothers back in Goroka to refrain from bad behaviors and trouble and instead be good citizens in their community. Both men who were home for the festive season have now returned to Port Moresby this week to take on the last leg of the pre-season training with the hopes of making the final cut at the end of this month. Keven is looking forward to his fourth season with the Hunters this year and said that there is no room to slack off as there are a good number of players who have been enlisted in the pre-season squad and one must work hard to secure his spot. “Although there are many good players in the camp now, it is however, up to each individual player to prove their worth on the field in order to make the final 26-men squad at the end of this month,” Appo said. Image sources: SP PNG Hunters, Yomba KisimPiksa, K.Appo

Border officials said Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his hopes of defending his Australian Open title later this month now appear over. Novak Djokovic has been denied entry to Australia by the country's border force and faces deportation after his visa was cancelled amid a row over his medical exemption from COVID vaccination rules. The tennis star's hopes of defending his Australian Open title later this month now appear over. Border officials said the world number one failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the country's entry requirements. [caption id="attachment_18171" align="aligncenter" width="895"] A protestor holds signs outside Park Hotel, where Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is believed to be staying[/caption] The 34-year-old Serbian player had been held up for several hours at Melbourne airport by a visa error and was ultimately refused entry. But court documents show that his lawyers are planning to appeal against the decision. Djokovic, who has repeatedly declined to say whether he has been jabbed against coronavirus, confirmed on Tuesday he had received an exemption to compete in the nation's top tennis tournament. But on landing in Melbourne, Victoria, late on Wednesday local time, the 20-time Grand Slam winner was waiting for permission to enter the country after his team had reportedly applied for a visa that does not allow for medical exemptions for being unvaccinated. The sportsman, left stranded at the airport, has now been issued a letter by the Australian government saying his visa was denied and he would be deported. He is currently believed to be quarantined at the Park Hotel in the city. During a news conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters: "On the issue of Mr Djokovic, rules are rules and there are no special cases. "It's been our government's strong border policies and particularly in relation to the pandemic, that has ensured that Australia has one of lowest death rates from COVID anywhere in the world. "We will continue to make the right decisions when it comes to securing Australian borders in relation to this pandemic." Djokovic was 'left in room guarded by police' The border force said: "Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia. "The ABF (Australian Border Force) can confirm Mr Djokovic had access to his phone." Before the announcement, Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic posted a selfie on Instagram from the airport lounge with the caption: "Not the most usual trip from Down Under." Border officials had earlier contacted government officials in Victoria to sponsor Djokovic's visa. But they refused to do so and he was forced to wait for hours. He was questioned by border officials, and his father Srdjan said his son spent time alone in a room guarded by police outside. Outrage in Serbia The Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, criticised the "harassment" of the country's sporting star, saying he had spoken on the phone to him and offered his support. Mr Vucic said: "I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end immediately. "In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know." Djokovic falls foul of Australia's notoriously tough COVID border rules Mr Morrison earlier said the tennis champion would be "on the next plane home" if he was unable to provide "acceptable proof" for a COVID vaccination exemption. Rules in Victoria, where the tournament begins on 17 January, state players must be double-jabbed against COVID. Australians had called the decision to give the top tennis star a medical exemption to enter the country "a slap in the face" after they endured months of harsh lockdowns. Djokovic has not made public on what grounds his exemption had been granted. But a possible explanation is that he contracted coronavirus for a second time at some point in the last six months, having previously caught it during his Adria Tour event in Belgrade in 2020. That would negate the need for vaccination, according to rules published last year by one of two independent medical panels involved in the decision to grant him an exemption. Only 26 people connected with the Australian Open applied for a medical exemption and just a "handful" - estimated to be around five - were granted, according to tournament boss Craig Tiley. SOURCE: SKY NEWS