Basken Village situated in ward none in the hinterlands of Sumgilbar LLG of Sumkar District of Madang Province became a fun-filled locality on Friday, 6th February 2026, when the Provincial Member and Governor for Madang, Ramsey Pariwa, visited the area for the finals of the Governor's Cup volleyball tournament.
The Provincial Member and Governor for Madang when officiating the finals play offs told the young sports men and women who attended the tournament that the Governor's Cup is the perfect opportunity for them to expose their talents in sports.
"Most of you have hidden talents that you were born with when you mother brought you into this world," he said.
"But that talent needs exposure and the Governor's Cup is the perfect avenue for you to show that you have the potential to represent your village and your province through our provincial teams in all sporting codes," Pariwa said.
"We have raw talents in the rural areas, but successive governments have not considered empowering our young men and women in sports that's why there was no fair representation in all sporting codes and provincial teams," he said.
Governor Pariwa added that it's about time the true sons and daughters of Madang must rise up and carry their provincial flag and represent their province through sports on the national level and even on the world stage.
"I've seen people from other provinces representing Madang in all sporting codes and I wonder when will the true sons and daughters of Madang fly our provincial flag," Pariwa said.
"It's about time we rise up and show the true spirit of sportsmanship and show that yes we can and we will represent our province through sports," he said.
"This is the perfect opportunity for you to expose your talents. Not only here but also in all the 21 LLGs of this province where we have hosted the Governor's Cup," Pariwa said.
Governor Pariwa said the main pillars of the Governor's Cup are, to address law and order, expose raw talents, practice healthy lifestyle and an avenue to scout for players to take part in the National Soccer League which Madang is in the process to field a team.
"I want to make it clear that your participation in this tournament is not because I want you to play, it's because it's an opportunity to change your mindset and progress through sports," Pariwa said.
"Use this as an opportunity to progress in life, change your mindset, avoid bad habits, practice healthy lifestyle and help in developing Madang province," he said.
"We have plans in place to establish provincial teams for sporting codes, and we've already started with soccer where we will send a team to participate in the NSL," Pariwa said.
"So, when you play, give your best because there are scouts going around to identify the best players who will be selected to be part of the squad," he said.
Meanwhile, Madang Provincial Sports Coordinator, Mr. Panchito Amepou, assured the Sumgilbar LLG youths that there will be a separate soccer tournament for this year for the NSL selection.
"These are programs that are in place under the leadership of Governor Pariwa for the young men and women," he said.
"This is an opportunity for you to come take part in sports if you cannot make it through school. Sports is also a way for you to make it in life," Amepou said.
Mr. Amepou thanked the participants from all over Sumgilbar LLG and the local community of Basken for a peaceful and well-organized games which ended on a high note.
Mr. Ruben Tabel, the Executive Officer to the Member for Sumkar Hon. Alex Orme Suguman, thanked Governor Pariwa for investing in sports apart from other priority areas in Sumkar District adding that the office of the MP stands ready to assist in any way they can.
"We've seen alot lot of investment by our Governor in Sumkar District with the latest being the presentation of a cheque to Gaubin hospital when the Prime Minister, James Marape, visited last week," Tabel said.
"I know a lot of investment in projects are in the pipeline going forward and we look forward to work with our Governor to bring the much-needed services into our district," he said.
Mr. Tabel presented K2,000 cash on behalf of the Sumkar MP to the match officials to cater for allowances for referees, officials and the local youths who provided security during the games.
A total of 23 teams from both the men's and women's division from all over the Sumgilbar LLG have taken part in the weeklong Governor's Cup volleyball tournament at Basken which ended on Friday which Governor Pariwa personally presented the trophies and cash prizes for the fourth to first placings of both men's and women's divisions.
