In a strong display of youth culture and sporting spirit, Papua New Guinea’s back-to-back hip-hop champions Wan Squad and national rugby player Morea Morea, have been unveiled as the official brand ambassadors for Sparx footwear in the country. The launch took place on Saturday, 23rd August, at Kwalimu Haus, Port Moresby, marking the official entry of Sparx into the PNG market through a 13-year strategic partnership between India’s Relaxo Footwears Limited and local distributor Niumi Distributors Limited. Speaking at the event, Morea Morea shared his pride at being named alongside Wan Squad. “Growing up and being introduced to rugby league as a kid, I never thought it would take me this far from Central Dabaris to debuting with the Hunters and now playing for the Capras. I am so grateful to Sparx for recognizing me and giving me this platform,” he said. Sparx, an athleisure footwear brand under Relaxo, India’s largest footwear manufacturer—offers a wide range of sports and lifestyle shoes designed for comfort, durability, and affordability. The new collection has been tailored for PNG’s tropical climate and active lifestyles and will be available across multi-brand retail outlets nationwide. Ritesh Dua, Executive Director of Relaxo Footwears Ltd., said the partnership aims to connect with PNG’s youthful energy. “Papua New Guinea is a young and dynamic market, and we are thrilled to introduce Sparx to its vibrant consumers. Our collaboration with Niumi reflects our commitment to building local partnerships and delivering affordable footwear that resonates with the local lifestyle,” Mr. Dua said. Waymun Ho, representative of Niumi Distributors Limited, said Sparx brings international standards to PNG consumers. “The brand’s proven success across multiple countries gives us confidence in its potential here. With its innovative design, global standards, and competitive pricing, Sparx is well-positioned to become a preferred choice among PNG’s fashion-conscious and quality-seeking consumers,” Mr. Ho said. Mr. Ho also reflected on the history of the partnership, which began in 2013 after a business connection in the Solomon Islands introduced Niumi to Relaxo. He said PNG has since become one of Relaxo’s fastest-growing markets. “When we started, people often wore slippers that wore out within a few months. Relaxo footwear proved to be more durable — we’ve tested some slippers up to one million steps. That quality is why PNG consumers have embraced the brand,” he explained. He added that footwear in PNG has evolved from being seen as a basic necessity to becoming a fashion statement, especially among young people. “If you look at social media, people notice not just what you wear but also your shoes. Footwear has become an important part of self-expression, and we believe this market will keep growing,” he said. Relaxo and Niumi said sales have grown steadily, with imports reaching over 100 containers of footwear annually. Mr. Ho noted that during his early visits to PNG, many people walked barefoot, but today more are wearing quality shoes — which he sees as evidence of positive change in lifestyle and access. The launch event also featured the exclusive screening of Sparx’s latest television commercial, starring Morea Morea and Wan Squad, which showcased the brand’s energetic and youthful identity.