To ensure sports becomes a platform for development, gender equality, creating champions and instilling good values, NCD Governor Powes Parkop honored his word through the City Hall with a commitment of K60, 000 to Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA).
The commitment was manifested on Sunday 30th April to sponsor a one-month soccer pre-season hosted and managed by PMSA. The cheque was presented when the pre-season was entering its final rounds of the season.
Governor Parkop, a staunch sports sponsor throughout his 16-year political reign, did the cheque presentation during PMSA AGM in #AmazingPortMoresby. Speaking during the presentation, he said he would talk to corporate houses to boost the sponsorship with a further K40, 000.
“Sports is a powerful medium and tool for development.”
“It’s more than just a game. It’s a real platform where we can achieve many goals that we find in so many of our visions. Vision 2050, the Medium Term Development Plans and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Governor Parkop said since taking office in 2007; his passion has been to transform #AmazingPortMoresby in all facets of life – social, economic, physical and cultural.
He admitted that the challenges are still there: “I must do all that I can, and I recognise sports as part of that equation, so I keep supporting sports in different codes; rugby league, supporting team Port Moresby Vipers, and I have been supporting other sports as well.”
Governor Parkop added he was hopeful that after the AGM and election of new executives of PMSA, better dialogues would be established to see how they can work together in partnership, using this platform for development and giving young people hope for a better tomorrow.
“Soccer is a beautiful, skillful game played globally in all countries”, he said, “adding opportunities for the city and entire country to become part of the global movement”.
He said plans are in place for the Vipers to secure a spot in the New South Wales Rugby League, indicating opportunities for Port Moresby Soccer to enter the North Queensland League in the near future. This year the #AmazingPortMoresby will host the Oceania Soccer Women’s Championship in June.