The recently hosted inaugural Momase Regional Youth Games (RYG) was deemed as success especially because sixty youths were identified by the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) to go for further sporting development.
According to the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA), the PNG Sports Foundation High Performance Unit had scouted sixty players in total under the five sporting codes of volley, basketball, touch footy, soccer and para-athletics from the games played from the 5th to the 30th of September in Madang.
Furthermore, two male soccer talents from Angoram in East Sepik province were also scouted to join the National Soccer League (NSL) and one female basketball talent was selected join the FIBA Under- 17 Oceania Championships Women’s Basketball hosted recently in Port Moresby.
These are rural talents brought right to the fore by using the RYG as the sport career pathway, to give them the opportunity to further their sporting dreams.
The Regional Youth Game concept aligns with three important government policy; PNG Sports Policy, National Youth Policy and Integrated Community Development Policy, making it a home-grown concept with rural focus and aims to identify rural talents and push them for further skills development.
The NYDA also thanked Madang Governor, Ramsey Pariwa, and Provincial Administrator, Mr. Frank Lau for their undivided support to the concept, and the Games Organizing Committee.
Meanwhile, the three partners behind the concept the NYDA, PNGSF and the Department for Community Development and Religion, are pleased with the outcome and look forward for the Highlands and the New Guinea Islands Regional Youth Games next year.