PNGOC CONDUCTS WORKSHOPS IN THE REMOTE TUFI VILLAGES

Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has brought the Oceania Sports Education Program (OSEP) to the remote Tufi Local Level Government (LLG) in Oro province, marking the program’s debut in the region.

The initiative, conducted in Sinei village, drew 57 participants from nearby communities, including Lefume, Gavide, Baga, Sefoa, Gangiga, Tumari, and Moghana, highlighting the overwhelming interest and commitment to sports and education in these rural areas.

The program kicked off on the 16th of November with a Sport in Communities Administrators’ Course aimed at equipping participants with the skills to manage and sustain sports programs effectively.

Attendees overcame significant logistical hurdles to participate, with some paddling four hours by canoe or spending up to K160 on dinghy rides.

Despite overcrowded classrooms and broken desks, their determination highlighted the community’s eagerness to embrace education and development through sports.

Adding depth to the initiative, PNGOC integrated a Gender Equity workshop, which saw a remarkable 90% participation rate from Tufi LLG Sports representatives.

Led by Iammo Gapi Launa, OBE, a PNGOC Board Member and Chair of the Gender Equity Committee, the workshop tackled critical issues, including cultural barriers that hinder equitable access to education, sports, and community activities.

Discussions emphasized fostering respect for marginalized groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities.

The team also introduced practical measures to improve community well-being, such as advocating for WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices and promoting the use of Queen Pads cloth pads for menstrual health.

This saw fathers and husbands actively involved, helping shift perspectives on shared household and community responsibilities. This milestone aligns with PNGOC’s mission to foster sports and promote gender equity across Papua New Guinea.

In addition, this sets the stage for the upcoming Sinei Soccer Association tournament, a major event involving teams from all twenty wards of Tufi LLG.

Moreover, through programs like OSEP, PNGOC continues to demonstrate the transformative power of sports and education in driving sustainable community development.