The National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop continues to support and harness the potential of sports as a development tool to achieve the National Capital District Commission’s Safe-City vision.
Governor Parkop recently attended the PNG Kickboxing teams fundraising dinner at the Dynasty Restaurant in Port Moresby, where he highlighted the positive impacts of sports in uniting people, instilling positive value systems and inspiring pride.
The fundraising dinner was to help raise funds for the team to participate in a tournament in Miami in Florida in the US next week.
He said, “The success of former kickboxing champion Stanley Nadex is a testament to sports for development.”
Governor Parkop emphasized that having realized the importance of investing in sports, NCDC creates and supports many sporting platforms for youths to showcase their potential, which can lead to career pathways.
Acknowledging the presence of the Minister for Higher Education and Sports, Don Polye and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PNG Sports Foundation Mr. Albert Veratau, Governor Parkop called on the National Government to consider sports as a priority investment as well because it engages youths in positive pathways.
The Governor praised the work of the PNG Kickboxing Federation, especially Mr. Nandex, for nurturing a new breed of kickboxers to replace him and shine on global stages representing PNG.
Governor Parkop stressed that the major resource the city boasts about is its people, for whom different pathways are created to realize their dreams.
He also admitted that creating pathways for the young and energetic population is a challenge all government levels face.
“Out of 70, 000 young people who pass out Grade 12 every year, only 30, 000 are absorbed into the formal tertiary education pathways.”
“What about the rest? What about those who never went to school?”
“Kickboxing and sports must be seen in this context,” said the Governor.
“That is the power of sport.”