The weeklong inaugural Momase Regional Youth Games (MRYG) held in Madang, not only saw the youths engaged in sporting contests, but the local businesses also engaging and benefiting from the whole event.
A total of 30 markets were registered to sell food, beverages, other items and products from locals from Madang as well as East Sepik and Morobe provinces. It was a mixture of informal and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) markets set up alongside the sporting venues.
Amongst the market vendors was a young female entrepreneur, “NB Sales,” from Madang who was selling variety of drinks, doughnuts, bilums, blouses and other items. She said the event has contributed positively by providing a bigger market for the informal business operators and the SMEs, to generate funds to sustain their livelihoods at the end of the day.
“Though it is not in a big economic scale, at least what we make here gives small interest and buying powers to keep us moving. Most importantly, we enjoy watching our teams playing against other districts,” she said.
There were also market stalls showcasing diverse products from the famous Karkar Bilums, printed T-shirts displaying traditional crafts designs, and blouses.