The Kumul Petroleum Barramundis have been training for the last 3 weeks but this Thursday was the first opportunity they had to train with newly appointed Coaching consultant, Justin Staines, who will assist Caretaker Coach, John Ovia as they gear up for the ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers. Barras Capitan, Assad Vala stated that today is the first skills session that they had with Staines, adding that this was just to analyse where the team is at and how they can better themselves. “Justin is going to be helping us out for the next week or so. It’s good having him here, he has a lot of experience working with international teams, Big Bash Teams and a lot of teams in Queensland so it’s really good having him here and we’re trying to pick his brain on how go about it in this format getting ready for the T20 Qualifiers.” Valla added that they are through to the 3 weeks of their 6 week preseason training program, adding that it’s been intense for the boys. “It’s all about getting stronger for the next 6 weeks and getting to more skills-based sessions for June.” He further said that the team has seen some young ones move up the ranks after a pacific tournament in Fiji. These boys were part of the Academy. “It’s good to have some of the young boys mix around with the older more experienced players and hopes that they learn a thing or two from them

“We are not Primitives! Justin must be sacked!” This was the chant at around midday today from concerned citizens and University students who took offense to the derogatory remarks made by Foreign Minister, Justin Tkatchenko in defence of daughter, Savannah over the TikTok video circulating online and public backlash. A small crowd gathered at the University of Papua New Guinea to voice their frustration and proceeded to march towards the Office of the Prime Minister when stopped by the Police in front of the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance. Other concerned citizens chimed in and it wasn’t before long the crowd grew. Chanting’; WE ARE NOT PRIMITIVES!!! JUSTIN MUST BE SACKED!!! Deputy NCD/Central Commander, Chief Superintendent Laimo Asi called for the people to return home and to seek proper channels of advice before continuing. He informed the crowd that the gathering orchestrated by those in charge had not followed protocol to inform their office, therefore deeming the protest illegal. Upon further discussion with police personnel, the crowd reluctantly disbanded, but before that gave a notice that they will pursue the matter professionally and have called on the public to join hands in solidarity. They have set a date later to pursue their case through another protest, should the government not take appropriate action.

A police officer attached to the Mendi Police station in Southern Highlands Province is under investigation by Highway Patrol 17, following an accident on Wednesday afternoon leading to two expatriate missionaries being hospitalized for serious injuries. Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Joseph Puri has stated that he has not received the official report yet but after conversations with officers on the ground, it is alleged that the officer was driving under the influence of alcohol and on official duties. “The driver and both missionaries are now being held at the Kaupena Health Centre, both have serious injuries, the driver has also suffered injuries and an investigation is being conducted into the matter.” The PPC reported that the accident occurred around 3pm Wednesday afternoon and has pledged that they will investigate the matter, and should they find the officer guilty, he will be dealt with within the confines of the Law and administratively. “We will not tolerate policemen going out and drinking on duty and will come down hard on any officer caught in this act.” He further stated that this happened in broad day light, with witnesses around and for the officer to have caused this incident and he will not hesitate to enforce the law on ill-discipline shown by officers. Meanwhile Chief Superintendent Puri has dispelled any rumours of a with regards to the hacking of another in Kagua stating that it was not Sorcery Accusation Related, rather a misunderstanding that led to the victim losing a limb. “The Social Media reports that have been circulating are not related to the Sorcery Accusation Related Violence that has occurred in the past year, the man lost his arm because he was falsely accused of stealing a pig by someone living next to him.” The PPC has tasked Ialibu Police Station Commander, Inspector John Kalopa to investigate the incident and he is calling on the relatives of the Victims to not retaliate but to let the law take its course now that the situation is in the hands of the police.

While they continue preparations for the upcoming regional Tournament in Vanuatu, the National Women’s Cricket Team [Lewas] Coach, Mahuru Dai said he is proud of his girls and their performance over the past years, leading to their nomination for the SP Sports Awards Team of the Year. He said that everyone in the squad is proud of what they have achieved over the past few years. “We saw the news yesterday, we’re all proud of that and we’re excited about it, we’re all talking about it in camp.” Right now the team is halfway through preparations for the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers which will be on in September. Dai said they are now going through awareness sessions and working on how to well manage their games. “We have full squad training at the moment, we have three girls out of the team due to school but will be joining us in the afternoon sessions.” The Lewas will be heading over to Vanuatu to take part in the Regional, and Dai stated that moving forward, he hopes to build the team around respect and focus on getting the basics right.

“Security is key and a requirement for the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)". This was according to Minister for Internal Security, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr in his address at the Inaugural Special Economic Zones Summit this week. The Minister stated that the general law and order situation is a concern and there is a need for agencies in the Law & Justice Sector to assist the Government in minimizing crimes. He added that the Government is committed to ensuring that SEZ’s are established in safe and secure environments to make them conducive for economic growth and development whilst not compromising the safety and security of the people. “Several measures have been put in place, including increasing the capacity of law enforcement agencies, strengthening the justice system, and improving intelligence gathering capabilities.” “The government is also working closely with international partners to combat transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.” “Addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, is also a priority.” The Minister outlined the areas that law enforcement agencies should consider in the development plans for SEZs. These included establishing a legal framework, a dedicated security force, intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities, crime prevention strategies, investigation and prosecution mechanisms, border security measures, cybersecurity protocols, training and capacity building programs, emergency response plans, collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, and community engagement.

Police have confirmed the arrest of a man following the hacking of another over the weekend. NCD Zone 2 Commander, Chief Inspector Toby Hamago confirmed this stating that CID personnel have now apprehended the suspect responsible for the Killing. The victim killed on the 6th of this month was walking home when 2 men of Engan descent attacked and brutally murdered him. This was following an earlier incident that day which had led to a confrontation between Goilalas and Engans. “The Homicide Division from the CID have already arrested him.” This led to the closing down of the Gerehu Market temporarily during the weekend to resolve the issue. CIP Hamago says they have now asked the Goilalas residing around the vicinity of the Gerehu market to cease marketing firewood to prevent further confrontations. Police are continuing to monitor and maintain peace in the community there.

The New Ireland Province Drongos 7’s team have received a sizeable boost from the New Ireland Provincial Government, as they prepare themselves for the 2023 Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited Super 7’s series. A total of K100, 000 was granted to the team recently to assist them in taking part in the final 2 legs of the tournament. The New Ireland Rugby Football Union Inc. [NIRFU] have expressed great appreciation for the kind gesture shown by the NIPG that will now see the participation of the Drongos in the Remainder of the KPHL Series. NIRFU President Charlie Melachon stated that the 4 regional series, having completed in Mt. Hagen and Lae extends to the New Guinea Islands and Southern Regions in July, and will be held respectively in East New Britain and Port Moresby, according to PNG Rugby Union. “NIRFU assures NIPG that apart from efforts creating a conducive socializing avenue driving positive attitude changes on and off the field, promoting equal gender participation is paramount.” Melachon added that NIRFU has assembled its first ever female rugby rep side to participate in the upcoming Super 7s series third leg in Rabaul. He said the NIRFU is bridging the gap between young people and the business community that are involved directly or indirectly with Rugby Union for possible Education and Employment pathways. “NIRFU is promoting and reaching out to the wider youth communities to get involved in creating awareness on issues affecting communities including Alcohol, Gender Based Violence and Stigma.” “We believe the approach is two ways positively influencing our playing populace becoming productive members of the community.” The president acknowledged and appreciated the support given and looks forward to a continued partnership with all stakeholders, as well encouraging young people to be actively involved in Rugby Union here in New Ireland Province. “Indeed, the primary aim of our existence is to build the sport and provide the avenue that harnesses potential talents to excel in representative duties, but we need a bi partisan approach that utilizes the sport to be key partners and advocators to the government’s policies.” He added that the NIRFU believe this partnership serves to improve key indicators of the NIPG and drive the province under the leadership of Governor Sir Julius Chan.

The SP Sports Awards are back again and the list of 35 finalists for the 13 categories have been announced. After a long week of deliberation by the official Auditor of the SPSA, the top 3 of each award categories have been vetted, following their respective selections, and were recommended by the SP Awards Selection Panel, headed by Chair Warwick Vele. “This year we received a good number of high-quality nominations in each category, from all over the country and abroad, and included new names and faces.” He added that it was especially pleasing to receive nominations for the categories outside of the high-profile ones, these being for Community Sports Initiative, Best Sportsperson with a Disability, and National Performance. The finalists, in alphabetical order, for the SP Sports Awards are: 1. Male Athlete of the Year Morea Baru Matthew Stubbings Alwin Komolong 2. Female Athlete of the year Violet Apisah Dika Toua Tanya Rumah 3. Team of the Year PNG Lewas Womens Tennis PNG Lakatois 4. National Performance of the Year Morobe Hammerheads Lae Natives Benjamin Aliel 5. Community Sports Initiative Award Santos Love Cricket Program Kavieng Basketball Roland Muluyaru 6. Junior Male Athlete of the Year John Kariko Jnr Sugar Ray Hakena Adam Maikai 7. Junior Female Athlete of the Year Idau Vagi Dika Lohia Colita Hakena 8. Best Sports Person with a Disability Dorna Longbut Steven Abraham Haoda Agari 9. Sports Official of the Year David Yareboinen Barbara Stubbings Nelson Stone 10. Sports Photo of the Year Jordan Sere Fidelis Wasari Charlie Dumavi 11. Sports Media of the Year Rikila Wura Patricia Keamo Charlie Dumavi This announcement also includes the opening of the SMS Voting for the People’s Choice Award, by which the winner of the PCA is selected through a public vote. The more votes a finalist gets, the more chances of them winning. Candidates for this category come from four finalists of the following. Male Athlete of the Year Female Athlete of the Year Team of the Year National Performance of the Year Voting for the People’s Choice Award category will close on 26th May 2023. The SP Awards Presentation Dinner will be held at the traditional home of the Awards, Crowne Hotel (formerly Plaza) this year, on Saturday 27th May 2023. This will be the first SPSA after a 3-year hiatus due to the covid-19 pandemic and it will also be livestreamed on the SP Sports Awards Page.

Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent John Sagom told PNG HAUSBUNG that crime in the third largest city in the country and the Western Highlands Province as a whole has been at an all-time low for the past few months. “Outside in the other districts, it’s been quiet much like Mt. Hagen City and it seems that people are coming to understand the awareness being done by our people (Police).” PPC Sagom stated that for quite some time now, police have been able to maintain peace and normalcy in the province and attributes this to the hard work and dedication of the men and women in blue. He said he aims to maintain this to ensure that WHP becomes safer and more conducive for people to move around and conduct their business. Aside from that, the only major issue that the City, as far as Law and order is concerned, is the rural to urban drift by people from other parts of the highlands, particularly from areas that have been ravaged by election related violence. “This is quite a challenge for us now that we have people flooding into the city, causing huge congestion at market places and Bus stops.” Sagom further added that they will work in coordination with the Mt. Hagen City Council to address these issues. The PPC is also calling on the local churches to work together with the office of the PPC to tackle youth delinquency. Sagom added that they would like to work together with all churches as they play a vital role in society

Police at the Gerehu Precinct, in the Nation’s capital have confirmed the killing of a lone man, from Goilala over the weekend at the hands of a group of men believed to be from Enga late in the evening on Saturday. Police Station Commander, Inspector Hanson Tokally stated that this followed a drunken brawl between the two groups of people. According to the PSC, the Engans were having a few drinks to themselves when a confrontation between both groups took place leading to a few Engans being injured and hospitalized. “The Wabags were probably not happy with how the Goilalas approached them and there was an argument that led to a fight.” The victim, who happened to be walking home late that evening was confronted by members of the injured Engans and was sadly butchered to death. The Inspector further established the victim had no ties with both parties involved in the brawl earlier on.

The reigning champs, Credit Corporation Harlequins proved too strong for the Gangloff Consultants University Piggies as they piled on 24 unanswered points on Saturday. Playing with a lot of width and depth, the Harlies proved to be a handful in attack wreaking havoc for the Uni defense in the Capital Rugby Union Pepsi Cup. In what looked to be a really strong match-up between the two rugby giants, University looked threatening out wide every time they shifted the ball from the middle outwards. They managed to get first points on the board after 11mins from a penalty against the Harlies for coming in from the side in the ruck. Piggies Scrumhalf, Clifton Seseare easily slotted it through the sticks to get the piggies up by three, as both teams looked very evenly matched in both attack and defense. With the game hanging in the balance, Billy Rapilla’s men looked very clinical with a set play through the middle, Second Rower Eddie Nipal creating opportunities, heading deep into the defence, ending up with Wille Kalai caught just before the 22 with reinforcements running in late. However, consecutive penalties gave the Harlies a chance to equalize and it wasn’t long before Elton Una strolled in to score for the champs, after a beautiful set play from the scrum and a well waited pass from Yuni Patrick found his outside men who did the rest. Piggies hit back after half-time, through spreading the ball out wide and Jayjay Garison catching the Harlies line napping to run in for their only 5 pointer for the Piggies. Everything after that went the defending champ’s way, with Una grabbing his second midway through the second half, working their way out of their own side. Moments later Una would go over for a hat-trick after quick hands from the line out 22 from the Piggies line. The Harlequins went on to score 2 more tries, finishing off the game with a final score of 32-8.

In favorable conditions on softened soil here in the nation’s capital following 13mm of precipitation the evening before, Chris Wood took the front foot halfway into the PNG Open, flourishing on the course for the second round with more birdies. Like a projectile out of a canon, Wood was out of the gates with two birdies in his first three holes, with a bogey at the par-3 second in between. That blemish would be the only one on Wood’s scorecard for the day as he closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies at the consecutive par-5s to turn in 34. “I think the front nine is definitely the more scoring nine, helps with the three par-5s. If you can, sort of turn between three- and four-under, definitely sets up a good round on the back nine.” The Aussie was right, scoring 3 more birdies for a six under 66 and the lead alone at nine-under-par through 36 holes. First round co-leader Lachlan Barker his nearest pursuer with two shots adrift. Wood’s good play came on the back of a putter that has been working well on the tricky Royal Port Moresby greens. Wood was proud of the day, stating that he had played better than the day before adding that the greens were challenging. The cut fell at 16-over-par, with 59 players making the weekend.