The East Coast Football Club (ECFC), a newly established soccer club based here in Port Moresby will be hosting their first ever Corporate Fundraising Dinner at the Lamana Hotel Grecian Ballroom on Thursday 9th September to raise much needed funds for the club and its’ activities. Managing Director and President of the East Coast Football Club, Mr Shannon Andrew said this Corporate Fundraising Dinner is intended to raise funds for the 2021 – 2022 Soccer team registration and association activities, culture and educational programs within the club, academy programs for kids under 10 years and the 2021 ECFC Annual Charity Drive and Contributions. The East Coast Football Club was established in 2017 and since then has grown into a football club that is currently participating in the Port Moresby Soccer Association in Division 2. “As young as we are, our vision is a very unique and ambitious one, to be the most attractive and competitive football organization in the pacific by 2026,” said Mr Andrew. Mr Andrew said “we believe in sports (in our case soccer) now more than ever as it is evolving into not just being a competition, but a great way to engage a consumer, engage someone running a business and also is an amazing platform to drive certain campaigns throughout the community.” He added on that one of their programs set for this year under the ECFC Kids Academy Program will be launched in October this year and will run annually with the support of coaching materials from Papua New Guinea and Australia. “ECFC aims to be the first football club in PNG that is committed to building its’ soccer academies out of Port Moresby and Lae and with direct pathways to competitive football carnivals in Australia,” Shannon said. He added that also this year, ECFC under their Annual Charity Drive and Contributions will bring together family, friends, fans and partners through its platforms to support a worthy cause. “2021 has prompted our support to the ‘I Care 4 U’ Charity Organization run by a generous couple, George and Krystal and the charity is dedicated to giving abandoned babies from the Port Moresby General Hospital a second chance in life.” Mr Andrew added that TE PNG has come on board as the Official Naming Sponsor, Lamana Hotel as the Official Hotel & Venue Partner, NP & LEV Production as the Production Partners and Vakaloloma a proud sponsor. For interested Individuals or business houses/companies who would like to support, Tickets are going for K300 and a table of 10 is K3000. Dress Code – Formal. For more information on tickets, you can contact 72207661/75961358 or you can email ecfcmagicians@gmail.com

The Vice Chancellors Cup grand final match that was called off due to bad light on Monday August 23, 2021 at the UPNG oval in Port Moresby will be replayed this weekend. PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina in a statement said the rematch between UPNG Pythons and Unitech Spartans will be played as a curtain raiser to this Sunday’s Digicel Cup grand final at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. “The teams will have an opportunity to play in a world class stadium and in front of an expected huge crowd and will be televised ‘live’ via TV Wan throughout PNG from 12 noon on Sunday September 12, 2021,” Hondina said. “The ‘live’ telecast will continue throughout the afternoon for the Digicel Cup Grand Final between Lae Snax Tigers and JPG Waghi Tumbe.” He said: “We have shared values and will work together with these institutions to see how best we can develop and build good young men and women into the community. “Our vision is all about discipline, teamwork, commitment, hard work and for all to be successful.” Hondina said starting this year, the PNGRFL fully recognises and sanctioned the institutional competitions. “We are happy to support this cause and showcase this relationship to a wider community,” he said. The PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Board has committed its support to seeing the VC Cup grand final replayed. “PNGNRLC is pleased to give the UPNG and Unitech teams this opportunity to showcase their talents and potential, Chairman Adrian Chow said. “Stars such as Justin Olam and Jokedi Bire who played for the Lae Snax Tigers while attending Unitech have shown that the same qualities of discipline, commitment and goal setting are required to excel in studies and sport.” VC Cup tournament co-ordinator Max Andrew on behalf of the organising committee said they were grateful to the PNGRFL and the PNGNRLC for the support in organising to replay the grand final. “When the game was called off due to poor lighting, both teams were declared dual winners,” Andrew said. “However, we are thankful for this opportunity to see a fair game to be replayed and a winner declared to claim the 2021 Vice Chancellors Cup.” The VC Cup grand final replay between current holders Unitech Spartans and UPNG Pythons kicks - off at 12 noon at the Oil Search National Football Stadium on Sunday September 12, 2021. The Digicel Cup grand final kicks - off at 3.00pm later in the day. Picture courtesy: MIALOLO PICTURES

Air Niugini Destinations Loyalty Program proudly welcomes onboard Rapopo Plantation Resort in East New Britain Province as the recent inclusion to its program. This brings the total Destinations corporate partners to 12. The airline’s General Manager Commercial Services, Mr Dominic Kaumu welcomed Rapopo Plantation Resort to the program highlighting Air Niugini’s commitment to focus on the domestic market and promote local tourism. The two-year partnership provides Destinations members the opportunity to earn and burn loyalty points when staying at Rapopo Plantation Resort either for business or leisure. Rapopo is also offering exclusive discounts to our Destinations Executive Club members. Mr Kaumu said, “Air Niugini is working with the hotel industry to encourage individuals to take trips and enjoy the diversity and beauty of Papua New Guinea.” “Each time a Destinations member visits Rapopo, they earn points, which can then be redeemed for airline tickets or goods and services from our other corporate program partners. “We want to provide Air Niugini customers an exciting way to earn points whilst enjoying the experience at our beautiful domestic destinations,” Mr Kaumu added. Rapopo Plantation Resort Manager, Darryl Viray said, “We are excited with this partnership.  It would be a pleasure to showcase our resort domestically and internationally.  Our motto is “to strive for excellence”. Viray added that Rapopo was the first in PNG to be awarded as 2018 Trip Advisor’s Best of the Best Hotel in the South Pacific and also Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice awardee from 2015 – 2021. Air Niugini’s Destinations Loyalty Program was launched in August 2009 as PNG’s first Frequent Flyer Program with currently over 123,000 active members. Please visit the Air Niugini Destinations website www.destinations.com.pg for more information on similar partnerships with other hotels and organisations in the country and how you can earn more points.

Newcrest Lihir is using a new training simulator to boost its Heavy Equipment Operator training program and to ensure that trainees and operators learn and practise skills in a safe environment. Senior Specialist – Mining Systems, Yanzan Aki, said the new simulator, PRO4-B, is optimised for surface mining and comes with different kits for various equipment training. So far, 40 employees have gone through the practical simulator training for shovels, diggers and haul trucks using the PRO4-B. “PRO4-B training simulator has a curved, seamless 180-degree visual experience, allowing trainees to view hazards and external objects expected in actual operations. It also gives trainers control to view and administer training sessions. Essentially, the simulator allows for current virtual mine site views, which can be updated regularly to depict the actual mine environment,” Mr Aki said. Mine Trainer Philip Libai said the simulator is enhancing the training process, making it more robust and efficient, and is assessing trainees at a level deemed competent for heavy equipment operations. “Another good thing about the new model is it offers training schemes that can be effectively tailored to meet specific site operating practices and requirements. The data it captures is also important because we can use it for improvements that will enable efficiency,” Mr Libai explained. Superintendent – Production Engineering & Planning, Noven Giuna, said the simulation-based operator training approach is also improving training delivery in Lihir. “Previously, we used real machines or fleets to train new hires, and that was challenging, especially with production targets to meet every day. As a result, new hires went through a prolonged training program,” he said. Mr Giuna praised site (Lihir) and Newcrest corporate teams for ensuring that PRO4-B training simulator got successfully launched despite several COVID-19 pandemic challenges. He said Lihir Mine department’s training approach reflects Newcrest’s strong commitment to promoting safety, production and reliability. “The new model is providing safe and efficient training for new trainees and allowing current operators to do refresher trainings. As a business, we are empowering our local people with exportable skills using latest training platforms,” Mr Giuna highlighted. “Newcrest continues to bring in new technology for training purposes to Lihir to help our people be their best in their roles. Ultimately, that makes us a safe and sustainable business operating in Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Giuna.

One of the major challenges limiting the growth and expansion of innovative enterprises in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is lack of skills and knowledge, author of PNG NRI’s Spotlight Volume 14, Issue 10, says. Innovation using new technology and methods of production requires knowledge, skills and capital, but many entrepreneurs lack these inputs, says Dr. Elizabeth Kopel, PNG NRI’s Informal Economy Program Leader and Senior Research Fellow. “This partly explains the lack of diversity in activities, leading to oversupply, strong competition and poor sales which are recurring themes. This evidence raises the need for policy interventions to be strategic and holistic, from different entry points to address a range of different issues simultaneously,” she stated. “A good starting point for intervention to promote innovation and diversification would be to support informal enterprises established by trained people with specialised skills and those with a spark of originality.” These enterprises are most likely to grow, become sustainable and transition to formal SMEs; thereby, contributing to achieve the SME policy target of reaching 500,000 SMEs by 2030. Other challenges, highlighted by Dr. Kopel, that limit these enterprises include: lack of finance, shortage of technical and material resources and need for better access and connectivity.

Prima Smallgoods is continuing its support of Athletics PNG training programs around the country with fortnightly donations of their products being directed where they are needed. A small group of distance runners based at Utmei Secondary School in East New Britain received their third donation of the year last Saturday in Kokopo. The group includes 2019 Pacific Games representatives Monica Kalua, Mary Tenge and Siune Kagl and the three athletes were on hand to receive the product from Prima Sales staff. Athletics PNG President Tony Green thanked Prima for its ongoing support of training programs both at Utmei and in Kerowagi, Simbu Province. Green also acknowledged the support of K Central in transporting the products from Lae. Mary Tenge was one of the star performers at the PNG Air Athletics Grand Prix in Port Moresby in July, winning the 3000m and 5000m, with Kagl setting a huge personal best in the 1500m and contributing to some very good times in the mens 3000m and 5000m by setting a strong pace in both races. Kalua was the winner of the womens 1500m and the three athletes, along with their training partners and school mates Adolf Kauba, Sialis Passinghan and Israel Takap are looking forward to the second part of the series in Kimbe from November 26 to 29. This will be followed by the PNG Air National Championships (Dec 3 - 5).

There are 400,000 reasons to be excited this Independence season thanks to Roots Rice. Lucky customers nationwide will get a chance to walk away with a share of K400,000 in the BIKPELA CASH GIVEAWAY promotion which started off on August 9th. In total K5000 will be given out each fortnight till the end of promotion on October 1st. Brand Manager, Casey Kwasam says that this promotion is a way for the company to show their support to consumers on a personal level this Independence period. “We always aim to connect with our consumers with the promotion time frames so that the cash giveaway can have impact on them. “What better way to celebrate this Independence than with some free cash to help with spending for your family and traditional bungs. The prize pool will see K5,000 given out per draw. In terms of prize break up: 1st Prize is K2,500, 2nd Prize is K1,500 and 3rd Prize is K1,000. Consumers are guaranteed a good chance to win as the promo is spread across 20 locations nationwide. Consumers are encouraged to look for and buy any Roots Promo Pack, write their name and contact details on the back on the empty bag or packet and place at entry boxes at participating stores nearby.

The Government's policy on COVID19 vaccination still remains as voluntary and not to be forced on individuals. Prime Minister James Marape reaffirmed this in Parliament today in light of the recent incidences in Lae where employers of several business houses protested against their respective companies ‘policy on the termination of employees who refused to be vaccinated. Mr Marape says by far no industrial dispute was made to the Labour Department regarding this issue hence the government has not made any response to the complaints raised. However, he says with the issues in Lae, he has dispatched a team from the COVID19 National Control Centre led by the Controller David Manning to Lae today to investigate these issues and submit a report to the government. “The investigation is to find out if those companies have adhered to the government’s New Normal COVID 19 practises or not before resorting to the ‘No Jab, No Job’ policy as reported,” Mr Marape said. “The report will help us to find a balance between the safety of the workplace, the operation of the workplace and to ensure that the rights of the employees are protected.” He further acknowledged the protests by the employees as well as the University of Technology students in advocating on the plight of ordinary citizens at this time.

Twenty-four (24) participants successfully completed one-week MA Coaching Course in Mt Hagen recently. Mt Hagen Soccer Association president Samuel Kini said the MA Coaching Course was part of building and  upgrading coaching skills to move and popularize soccer in PNG’s third city, Mt Hagen. Kini said his soccer association is supporting the vision of the PNG Football Association president John Kapi Natto to upskill its technical department (coaches and referee) to take football forward. Mt Hagen president was pleased to see that business houses such as Airport Resort through its owner Nelson Tengi paid the participation fees while the Mt Hagen Urban Lord Mayor Jacob Michael recognized the importance of the course by attending the closing ceremony and presenting the certificate to the course participants Mr Tengi encouraged the participants to utilize their skills to help grow football in the highlands region. PNG Football Association General Secretary Pius Letenge gave the powerful statement via video conference urging all the participants and soccer followers to work together in moving football forward in Mt Hagen and the highlands region. “I am very humble by their contribution and presence which showed the trust in my leadership to lead football in the province,” Mr Kini said. Mr Kini said many course participants have expressed their sincere gratitude to PNGFA stating that it was an eye opener for them. This is the first time PNGFA has come down to member associations to conduct such coaching course. Mt Hagen soccer chief said there is bright future in football.”It is like getting the house in order before Hagen Soccer Association can move forward. The participants have pledged to work with Mr Kini’s newly elected executive moving forward. “The association is in re-construction phase in technical department. I am very blessed in completing referees course last month and now the coaching course. I now already have the manpower to move forward the association vision to develop some best players in Hagen,” he said. PNGFA Coach Mentor Harrison Kamake conducted the course with the assistance from Highlands region football development officer Robert Upaiga.

The Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) wishes to express its serious concern at the spate of newspaper reports recently that have highlighting the light sentences being delivered by PNG courts in relation to GBV. The Chair of the Committee, Charles Abel has made multiple statements decrying the lack of action by law enforcement bodies to address violence against women and children. In response to the multiple news reports of judges and magistrates letting alleged perpetrators found guilty of a crime off without proper punishment, Hon Abel stated today: “This is outrageous, unbelievable and unacceptable. It defies belief that our court system in this day and age can make such decisions in the light of such overwhelming circumstantial evidence." "It makes a mockery of the term justice and our justice system. How can we change mindsets and the culture of violence in general and violence against women if we allow such acts to go unpunished?” He went on to say: “Women being killed and maimed by their partners is a criminal act and it should be treated as such. Our recent Committee Report into GBV specifically called on law enforcement bodies to do their jobs better. We made more than 20 recommendations, calling for the police to investigate promptly and produce proper complaints files. They need to take proper witness statements and witnesses need to feel safe to testify about what they know”. In terms of court cases, Abel said: “We have called on the Office of the Public Prosecutor to promptly prosecute cases and to call for tough penalties. We also call on the courts system to deliver justice – promptly and fairly. The courts must do much better. What message does it send when men who have killed their partners are allowed to pay compensation and get off? This is simply not good enough.” Deputy Committee Chair, Governor Allan Bird was also very clear about his unhappiness with the outcomes from recent GBV cases. He has stated: “The public is outraged that our women and girls are unsafe in our country. Every member of our Committee is equally concerned about this terrible situation. We all want our women and girls to feel safe and to enjoy protection and freedom that they deserve." Governor Bird wanted to make sure though, that the public understands the role of the Committee, compared to the role of Government law enforcement bodies. He went on to say: “While I understand that the community might expect us to respond to individual incidents, we must respectfully ask the community to relay such requests to the relevant authorities. The job of the Parliament Committee on GBV is to hold to account all the different agencies of Government that ought to be responding to individual incidents of GBV, sexual violence and sorcery accusation related violence. When these responsible authorities fail to respond appropriately, that's when the Committee should be brought to bear on the non performing entities.” Governor Bird encouraged members of the public to continue to advocate for more action from the Government to address GBV issues around the country and reiterated that the Parliament GBV Committee will also play its part. He stated: “Our GBV Committee cannot not usurp the role of the Police or the Justice system. We play an oversight role to ensure these systems are working as they ought to and we will continue to do that. We will have a second round of public hearings in late 2021 and we will use these to again call these agencies to account and demand them to take proper action” The Parliamentary Committee on GBV was set up in 2020 and their Report on GBV which can be accessed on their webpage at https://www.unitedforequalitypng.com/gbv-parl-committee. The Committee is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has provided technical support to the Coalition and Committee as part of its gender programming and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. This support aims to address GBV and support longer-term efforts to promote women’s participation and leadership in the Parliament.

U.S Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Her Excellency Erin Mckee, on her recent trip to Kwiop in Jiwaka Province last week was ferried through Western Highlands Province by Heli Solutions. Being her first trip to the region, her excellency, was given an aerial tour of American funded projects in Jiwaka Province upon her return to Western Highlands Province. Her excellency was impressed with Heli Solution’s services and on her return to Mount Hagen, presented two American and Papua New Guinea crossed flag lapel pins to Heli Solutions pilots in recognition of their service. The pins symbolise the existing partnership between American and Papua New Guinean governments. Heli Solutions Grounds Manager, Linda Wii, who was on the tarmac at Kagamuga Airport to receive the US Ambassador thanked her for trusting a fully flagged national company to transport her excellency and her team. Heli Solutions Pilots, Captain David Takindu and Captain James Pima were presented the pins on behalf of the US ambassador by Grounds Manager, Linda Wii, and witnessed by staff of Heli Solutions at their Mount Hagen Hanger. Captain Takindu and Pima who are both former service men in the PNG Defence Force were familiar with the military protocols involving state representatives and transported the ambassador with ease. Captain Pima as Chief Pilot of Heli Solutions was surprised and pleased at the gesture shown by her excellency. Both Pilots extends their gratitude to her excellency and her team at the US Embassy and are humbled to be presented such an honour.

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) will this week be celebrating Literacy Week with the theme “Our Country Our Story” with cultural learning, financial literacy activities and events together with the organisation’s donor partners, volunteers and parents. Literacy, Numeracy, digital skills and cultural knowledge are all equally important aspects children need to prepare for their future careers and life in Papua New Guinea. As the country lags behind its neighbours in the Pacific with regards to literacy rates and access to education opportunities, BbP seeks to use Literacy Week to advocate for the importance of Early Childhood Education, Libraries and Inclusive Education to increase literacy rates. From Monday to Wednesday, the children enrolled in BbP’s ECE program will be studying the importance of the ocean, village, forest and animals in PNG culture through craft activities and story-telling by parents and officers from the National Museum of PNG. The children will then display their stories, which will be added to the BbP learning app so all children across the country can share their culture and customs. Thursday and Friday will be all about financial literacy and the children will be setting up shops and hold a ‘Market Day’ and learn through play to demonstrate their numeracy skills to parents, donor partners and invited guests. BbP has also created a financial literacy video in partnership with BSP which will be used as part of the ECE program to teach the children about PNG notes, coins and the importance of saving. The Literacy Week program has been generously sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG and includes learning materials, uniform t-shirts, mini cash registers and shopping trolleys, video production and logistics for all BbP’s Library Learning Centres across the country. BbP’s donor partners will be sending volunteers to engage with the children and lots of stationery, fruit, vegetables, drinks and baked goods the children will be “pretend selling” to each other during their Market Day celebration.