Paula DAVID

Air Niugini is pleased to announce that the Fokker jet operations to Madang airport has resumed as of this morning, Tuesday 10th October. The National Airports Corporation resumed jet services after the NAC repaired a small portion of the airport runway that was damaged by the earthquake. On the 9th October, Air Niugini downgraded its flights to Madang by using only Dash 8s before resuming jet operations today. Safety is always of paramount importance in Air Niugini’s operations.

A delegation from Papua New Guinea (PNG), including senior officers from central government agencies, and a model vanilla farmer, recently visited Madagascar on an 11-day exposure visit, to learn from Madagascar's vanilla industry sector. The exposure visit was arranged and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as part of the European Union-funded STREIT PNG Programme, aimed at promoting the development of vanilla value chain in Papua New Guinea. The visit included meetings with senior officials in Madagascar from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry, private enterprises, and vanilla farmers, as well as visits to various sites, such as vanilla gardens, processing facilities, testing and certification laboratories, and export facilities. They also learned about the challenges and opportunities faced by the vanilla industry in Madagascar, such as climate change, threat of pests and diseases, price volatility, quality standards, traceability, certification, and market access. The delegation expressed their interest in considering the application of some of the best practices and lessons learned, especially on the policy and legislation required for strengthening the vanilla sector from Madagascar to their own context in Papua New Guinea. Mr. Floyd Lala, Director of the National Authorizing Officer Support Unit at DNPM, reflected on the enlightening visit, stating, "After visiting Madagascar, I've gained valuable insights into their success as the world's leading vanilla producer.” “PNG, contributing just 3-4% of global vanilla production, holds immense untapped potential." "From a government perspective, we have a lot to improve upon, particularly in terms of the policies and regulations governing the vanilla sector." "We need to establish necessary standards to significantly boost production.” Mr. Nicodemus Mainga, a model farmer from East Sepik Province, was amazed by the valuable skills and knowledge he acquired during the visit to Madagascar. “I learned a lot about how Madagascar grows its top-quality vanilla, making them the best in the world." "This visit was super helpful for me as a farmer." "Now, I can share these techniques with my fellow farmers in PNG, so we can also make vanilla as good as Madagascar's." "It's a win-win for us, and I'm really happy I came to visit Madagascar.” FAO Senior Agricultural Officer, Mr. Rabi Rasaily, said that the exposure visit was a valuable learning experience for the delegation and that it would help them improve their knowledge and skills in vanilla production and processing, but most importantly, to formulate good governing policies, regulations and standards that protect producers and traders.

The Head Coach of the SP PNG Hunters, Stanley Tepend, has regretfully advised the club that he is leaving for personal reasons because he no longer feels that he can give the role the attention it deserves. The SP PNG Hunters Board and Management have reluctantly accepted the resignation of the Head Coach. Though the SP PNG Hunters Board and Management are disappointed to see Coach Tepend go, the team and players have passed on their thanks to him for his services over the past few years with the Hunters and for his long-term involvement in Papua New Guinea (PNG) Rugby League as a whole. Tepend served as an Assistant Coach of the SP PNG Hunters during the 2022 QRL Hostplus Cup season before taking over as Head Coach for the 2023 competition. The SP PNG Hunters Chief Executive Officer and Football Committee have already begun the process of securing a new Head Coach for the upcoming season and are confident all processes will be in place before preparations begin for their 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup campaign.

Tui Kamikamica will take on a leading role after the Melbourne Storm forward was named to Captain the Fiji Bati side at the upcoming Pacific Rugby League Championship. Kamikamica has gone on to become a mainstay in his homeland’s squad since his representative debut in 2016, recording 16 appearances in the blue jersey in both International Test and World Cup formats, but this will mark the first time the 29-year-old will lead his country on-field. Fiji's will open their Pacific Championships campaign on October 22 when they take on Cook Islands in Port Moresby before facing hosts Papua New Guinea the following week on October 29. 2023 Pacific Championships Schedule Week One – October 14-15 Australia v Samoa (men) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Australia v New Zealand (women) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium Townsville PNG v Cook Islands (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Samoa v Fiji (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Week Two – October 21-22 New Zealand v Samoa (men) at Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand v Tonga (women) at Eden Park, Auckland Fiji v Cook Islands (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby PNG v Cook Islands (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Week Three – October 28-29 Australia v New Zealand (men) at AAMI Park, Melbourne Australia v New Zealand (women) at AAMI Park, Melbourne PNG v Fiji (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Week Four – November 4-5 The Final of the men’s Pacific Cup tournament on November 4 in Hamilton, New Zealand The Final of the men’s Pacific Bowl tournament on November 5 at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby Source: melbournestorm.com.au

Six players who featured in this year's NRL Telstra Premiership grand final have been named in a strong Toa Samoa squad to contest this year's Pacific Championships. Premiership-winning Penrith Panthers quartet Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Izack Tago and Brian To'o will be joined by Brisbane Broncos duo Keenan Palasia and Jesse Arthars in new coach Ben Gardiner's squad to take on Australia and New Zealand in the tournament starting later this month. However, with Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai ruled out with a shoulder injury he reaggravated in the win over the Broncos, fresh faces including Daejarn Asi and Karl Oloapu, as well as Crichton are expected to spend time in the halves. Dubbed "the minister for energy" by Gardiner, the coach said he was hopeful to see Luai join the squad and would still be a "close part of what we do". After guiding his side to their first ever Rugby League World Cup final last year, Samoa will again be led by Eels skipper Junior Paulo who said the tournament would provide his team with "another opportunity to shock the world again". "With the balance of young and senior players, it's definitely a good combination that we have got going," Paulo said. Samoa will play its first game of the Pacific Championships against Australia in Townsville on October 14. Source: NRL.com

SP PNG Hunters superstar fullback and 2023 QRL Hostplus Cup Rookie of the Year, Morea Morea is back home with his family following a successful surgery on an injured ankle this week. Morea injured his leg while making his international debut for Papua New Guinea’s PM’s XIII representative side against the Australian PM’s XIII squad at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby last weekend. Morea’s leg was caught up in an unfortunate tackle in the game and the young fullback was forced from the field. Post-game scans revealed a small break in the young fullback’s ankle. Following the injury, the PNGRFL and SP PNG Hunters have ensured that Morea has received first class medical treatment. He successfully underwent surgery this week at the Pacific International Hospital and will continue to receive support from both Papua New Guinean and Australian medical professionals as he progresses with his rehabilitation. Following a successful surgery and pending an uninterrupted rehab period, the SP PNG Hunters and PNGRFL expect Morea to return to play within 6 months post operation. The injury comes at an unfortunate time, given Morea was likely in the frame for PNG Kumuls selection in the upcoming 2023 Pacific Championships. The SP PNG Hunters expect their star fullback to be back in training for the club’s 2024 Hostplus Cup pre-season preparations, sometime in early February.

While many nationwide celebrated the birth of this great nation, the Port Moresby General Hospital Labour Ward delivered a total of 35 health babies. Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist & Acting Coordinator for the division Dr. Robert Johns said, apart from the usual busy days experienced at the ward, it was a quiet independence day for his team. He said, they received a total of 30 admissions and 5 extra deliveries where from the previous day. “Our load for yesterday, independence blessings, were all okay at birth and none were sent to the special nursery care. And of the 35 deliveries, 2 mothers needed operative delivery and had a cesarean.” Dr. Johns also mentioned that they did not have any maternal deaths or any newborn deaths and was considered to be a very blissful day at the hospital. He said, even though the labour ward has a total of 24 beds, some mothers who went first were sent to the post-natal ward to free up space for incoming deliveries. “We don’t have enough beds, and sometimes, mothers require longer stays up to 24 hours on the bed due to complications or their labours may be pro-longed which takes up bed space, but we try our best to help our mothers deliver safely and get them moved. “Others come in, deliver and get moved to the post-natal ward after 3 hours, which is good because that helps us to clear the bed for another mother to come in and deliver.” Dr. Johns further stated that all the staff were in good spirits and all deliveries went well. The Labour Ward also had enough medical supplies for that day. Meanwhile, the heaviest baby delivered during independence was a baby girl weighing 4.3kg.

The FIBA Under- 17 (U17) Oceania Championship will soon kick off this year in October with only less than 20 days to go. Five men’s teams and four women’s teams will compete in the regional championships with two spots up for grabs at the 2024 FIBA U18 Asian Championships. Reigning champions in both the men’s and women’s competitions, Australia will be out to defend their crowns when the tournament starts on Monday October 2 at Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby. Held across six days, FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said that the tournament is shaping up to be hotly contested with youth development surging across the region. “We have noticed that while Australia is still strong in the youth ranks, federations like New Zealand, Samoa and Guam are now reaping the rewards of solid investment in youth development.” “As host, Papua New Guinea will also be eager to impress in front of their home crowd, so we are excited to see what this tournament produces.” “At the previous edition of the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships in 2019, we saw Josh Giddey light up the men’s competition hosted by New Caledonia, while in the women’s competition, Parris Mason represented New Zealand, going on to suit-up with Tall Ferns at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup earlier this year.” If history is anything to go by, Sir John Guise Stadium is set to become another show court in Oceania to unearth the next generation of basketball stars. This will be the first major FIBA event held in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since the pandemic. With just a few weeks of preparation left, Basketball Federation of PNG will officially launch the logo, announce the main event sponsors, and announce the BFPNG U17 National Teams for both men and women. The Basketball Federation of PNG is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports and Team Up in partnership with FIBA Foundation.

The 57th Medical Symposium officially started on Monday in the nation’s capital that saw over a hundred doctors and medical professions from around the country attend this vital gathering to address issues surrounding cancer and the way forward. In the absence of the National Department of Health Minister (NDoH) Dr. Lino Tom, NDoH Secretary Dr. Osborne Liko gave his remarks on his behalf saying, cancer is a real burden but is also a preventable disease when early detected. Dr. Liko said, cancer affects everyone one-way or the other. He said, PNG has the highest number of cancer cases in the world, especially mouth cancer. “Cancer is becoming a major health problem in the world and PNG is no exception.” “In fact, it has become a real burden for many families and PNG has very high incidents of cancers reported to be around 28% of all cancers in PNG.” “PNG has the highest cancer cases in the world.” Dr. Liko said that 1500 women die from cancer every year of which most are preventable. “The estimated limit of breast cancer is around 76-per-hundrend thousand women population.” “As the government of today, we are taking proactive actions to address many health issues including cancer.” “I am also pleased to inform this forum that the issues of cancer have again been prioritized in the current National Health Plan 2021-2030 and also in the Government’s Medium Term Development Plan for 2023-2027 that is aimed to reduce incidents of cancer and archive affordable quality health care by 2030 and beyond.” Dr Liko further stated that, if we can prevent and detect cancer earlier, the better we can manage the disease with the resources that is available to us. Meanwhile, President of the Medical Society of PNG Professor Nakapi Tefuarani said, the theme for this year is “Holistic Approach to Cancer”, an important issue in PNG and the Asia Pacific region, and the world at large. He said, “We hope that our guest speakers both from internally and overseas will guide us in our plan to form our resolutions to the government of PNG through the National Department of Health at the end of the symposium.”

The Roosters have confirmed Joseph-Aukuso Suaalli (head knock) and Billy Smith (jaw) won't play against the Storm on Friday night. Suaalli has been ruled out under concussion protocols after failing a head injury assessment against the Sharks while Smith will undergo surgery on a fractured jaw and is set to miss the remainder of the season. Roosters centre Joey Manu (hamstring) will be given until kick-off to prove his fitness after suffering a reoccurring Grade 1 strain in the side's one-point win over the Sharks. In better news, Sam Walker and Brandon Smith have both been cleared of ankle injuries and will be available. Meanwhile, the Knights are set to be without Jackson Hastings for their clash against the Warriors after he aggravated the ankle injury which saw him miss the last three games of the regular season. The halfback broke down late in the first half of the extra time win over the Raiders and was ruled out at the break and took no part in the game. Post-match coach Adam O'Brien said initial signs weren't positive. "It doesn't look great. We tested him at half-time and he wasn't going to be able to contribute to that second half, so that in itself probably isn't a good sign," O'Brien said. Source: NRL.Com

A Kalyn Ponga penalty goal after 89 minutes of drama and chaos at McDonald Jones Stadium has seen the Knights beat the Raiders 30-28 and continue their remarkable late-season charge into Finals Week Two. After extra time was required to separate the two sides, who were tied at 28-28 at the end of normal time, it was a Hudson Young penalty for offside which presented Ponga with the chance to kick his side to a 10th straight victory and confirm a showdown with the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday. It was a finals game without precedent, marred by an allegation of biting made by Tyson Gamble against Jack Wighton, but which will be defined by so much more. In regular time both sides had enjoyed prolonged periods of dominance that appeared to have put them in the box seat to go on and claim victory and qualification to the next stage of the playoffs. The Raiders led 16-6 at the end of an opening half which saw them dominate on the back of 62 percent possession, before the Knights ran up 22 points in 15 minutes to establish a 28-16 lead which they held until the 65th minute. At that point Matt Frawley scored to set up the prospect of a thrilling finish, which became a reality following Tom Starling's try, converted by Jamal Fogarty, with two to go in regulation time that locked scores at 28-28. Tyson Frizell came up with what may have been a game-saving charge down on a field goal attempt with single digits left on the clock to force extra time. The Raiders had all the chances in the first period, which ended in Fogarty driving a low field goal attempt into the approaching Newcastle defence. When given his own chance minutes later, and with halfback Jackson Hastings off the field after succumbing to injury at half-time, Ponga took his chance and made no mistake. Earlier the Knights faced a grim exit in front of a crowd of 29,548. Greg Marzhew had got the scoring going on six minutes, but a James Schiller double, scored either side of a Trey Mooney four-pointer, gave the visitors a 10-point lead at the break which looked to have put them in prime position to advance. Cue the Newcastle revival, which came minutes after Gamble made an official allegation of biting against Wighton, with the latter placed on report and a fire appearing to be lit under the belly of the Newcastle side from that point on. Ponga sparked his side with a try on 48 minutes which was followed by Dom Young and Dane Gagai both crossing within two minutes of each other. A spilled ball then saw Gamble break down field and patiently wait for help to arrive, which unfortunately for Canberra came in the shape of the flying Young, who took it the rest of the way for a try, which after Ponga's fourth conversion of the day, put them up 28-16. Just as the contest appeared set to cross a line from which there would be no coming back for them, the Raiders got one back through Frawley, which was converted to make it a one-score game again. Starling then scored with two to play and the ensuing conversion locked scores again. Source: NRL.com

Eight teams, four weeks, one ultimate prize... countless questions to be answered. Can the Panthers become the first team the Eels in the early 80s to win three straight premierships or can the Broncos claim their first title since 2006? Can the hard charging Knights become the first team to come from outside the top four to win the competition? Or will be revealed through a sizzling September of finals footy and on to Accor Stadium on October 1 for the Telstra Premiership decider where the 2023 champion will be crowned. Each team's Road to Glory 1st. Penrith Panthers Penrith finished as the minor premiers and therefore get two home games in the finals series, starting with the Warriors at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday. If they win, they will have a week off and then move to either Accor Stadium or CommBank Stadium, to play the winner of the Semi Final between the loser of the Broncos/Storm clash and the winner of the Sharks/Roosters game. If the Panthers lose this week, they will play a home game at either Accor Stadium or CommBank Stadium and play the winner of the Knights/Raiders game in an Elimination Final. If they win that, they will then go to either Brisbane or Melbourne to face the winner of the Broncos/Storm game this week. [caption id="attachment_44981" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Panthers[/caption] 2nd. Brisbane Broncos Brisbane finished second and are also guaranteed two home finals matches, set to host the Storm on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. If they win, they will get a week off and play the winner of the Semi Final between the loser of the Panthers/Warriors clash and the winner of the Knights/Raiders game, with the game to be played at Suncorp Stadium. If they lose this week, Brisbane will remain at home to play the winner of the Sharks/Roosters game in an Elimination Final. If they win that, they would travel to either Sydney or New Zealand to face the Panthers or Warriors the following week. [caption id="attachment_44982" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Broncos[/caption] 3rd. Melbourne Storm The Storm head to Brisbane this Friday to take on the Broncos. If they win that they will have a week off before playing a home Preliminary Final against the winner of the Semi Final between the loser of the Panthers/Warriors match and the winner of the Knights/Raiders game. Should Melbourne lose this week, they will host the winner of the Sharks/Roosters game at AAMI Park next week in an Elimination Final. If they win that game, they'll travel to either Sydney or New Zealand to take on either the Panthers or Warriors. [caption id="attachment_44983" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Storm[/caption] 4th. Warriors The Warriors travel to BlueBet Stadium to play the minor premiers on Saturday. If they defeat Penrith, they will have a week off and host a preliminary final the following week against the winner of the Semi Final between the loser of the Broncos/Storm match and the winner of the Sharks/Roosters game. If they lose to the Panthers, they will still host an elimination final in Auckland against the winner of the Knights/Raiders game. Should they win that game, they will then travel to either Brisbane or Melbourne the following week to play the winner of that respective game from this week. [caption id="attachment_44984" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Warriors[/caption] 5th. Newcastle Knights Should the Knights triumph in their Elimination Final against the Raiders in Newcastle this week, they will play the loser of the Panthers/Warriors game in either Sydney or New Zealand. From there, they would go on to play either Brisbane or Melbourne – taking on whoever wins in their game this Friday night. All games for Newcastle are elimination matches so, if they lose, they are out. [caption id="attachment_44985" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Knights[/caption] 6th. Cronulla Sharks The Sharks will host an elimination final against the Roosters at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night. If they win they will take on the loser of the Broncos/Storm encounter in either Brisbane or Melbourne. If they win that game, they’ll play the winner of the Penrith Warriors game in either Sydney or Auckland. All games for Cronulla are elimination matches so, if they lose, they are out. [caption id="attachment_44986" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Sharks[/caption] 7th. Sydney Roosters Having finished seventh, the Roosters will play all their finals games away from home – starting with a trip to the Shire on Saturday night to face the Sharks. If they win, they will play the loser of the Broncos/Storm match in either Brisbane or Melbourne. If they win that, then they will face the winner of the Panthers/Warriors game this week in either Sydney or New Zealand. All games for the Roosters are elimination matches so, if they lose, they are out. [caption id="attachment_44987" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Roosters[/caption] 8th. Canberra Raiders Canberra will be on the road for the duration of the finals series after finishing eighth. On Sunday, they go to Newcastle to take on the Knights. If they win that game they’ll take on the loser of the Panthers/Warriors game in either Sydney or New Zealand. If they win that they’ll go to either Brisbane or Melbourne to take on the winner of the Broncos/Storm encounter from this Friday. All games for Canberra are knockout so, if they lose, they are out. [caption id="attachment_44988" align="aligncenter" width="1224"] Road to Glory: Raiders[/caption] Source: NRL.com