SP gives K100,000 to PNGOC

Caption:  (L) Secretary General PNGOC Auvita Rapilla, SP MD Stan Joyce, Sir Dawanicura, and Chef De Mission Emma Waiwai- all posing with the dummy cheque.

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

SOUTH Pacific Brewery continued yet another chapter in its continued support of sports in Papua New Guinea with K100,000 to the PNG Olympic Committee in preparation for the country’s participation in the Commonwealth Games in July, and Youth Olympics in August.

With a partnership spanning almost six decades, SP Managing Director Stan Joyce said the presentation reaffirmed the support of the nation’s brewer on top of its injection of K4 million into the 2015 South Pacific Games.

“Today’s announcement of K100,000 support, on top of the K4 million we are putting towards the South Pacific Games, will go towards our athletes in their preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and the Youth Olympics in China,” Joyce said.

He said that with the expense of travelling to both events and the training required to prepare for both international sporting events- it seemed fitting for SP to support the top athletes in the country prepare for the upcoming SP games next year.

Present to receive the funds on behalf of the PNG Olympic Committee, PNGOC President Sir John Dawanicura thanked SP for their continues support towards the sporting fraternity in the country.

“Team PNG has reduced its numbers from 160 to 140, which is 94 athletes and 46 officials to Glasgow- we also have the youth going to the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China with 23 athletes 10 officials,” Sir Dawanicura said.

“The total budget we have for both events is at K3 million, and the government has put up K1.5 million of that amount to the Olympic committee.”

National athletes for the Commonwealth Games will compete from July 23 to August 3, and Youth Games from August 16 to 28.

“The relationship between SP and PNG Olympic Committee (then PNG Sports Federation) goes as far back as 1983,” he said.

“And the relationship is one of mutual trust and we appreciated SP’s continues support.”

Emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency, he also gave an open invitation to all stakeholders and sponsors to attend the committee annual general meeting to see how all funds are spent.