The Tainaladeara community in Vabukori, Port Moresby, successfully hosted the grand finals of the JT Independence Tournament on Saturday, October 10, 2026, bringing together local teams and rising athletes for a premier showcase of grassroots sports development.

The flagship event was officially launched by Moresby South MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, who commended the tournament organizers and the Tainaladeara community for spearheading positive, unifying civic activities.

Minister Tkatchenko praised the initiative for providing a crucial platform for youth to demonstrate their athletic capabilities while fostering teamwork, discipline, and healthy engagement. He emphasized the vital role community-led sports play in identifying and nurturing emerging talents who aspire to transition into elite, competitive structures.

The tournament featured grand final matches in netball and volleyball, with teams competing across several divisions, including Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-21, Open and Masters categories in netball, and Under-13, Under-17, Under-21 and Open divisions in volleyball.

In netball, Hillside claimed the Under-13 championship, while Taurake won the Under-15 and Under-17 titles.

Bogi secured the Under-21 championship, while Taurake won the Open 1 division. Lore Miri claimed the Open 2 title, and Hillside finished as champions in the Masters division. The results highlighted the competitive performances of the participating teams and the depth of talent across the different age groups.

In volleyball, Lore Miri secured the Under-13 and Under-17 championships, while Lairi claimed the Under-21 title. Taurake emerged as champions in the Open division, completing the tournament's volleyball competition.

The grand finals provided an opportunity for participating teams to demonstrate their skills, discipline, and teamwork while promoting greater community participation in sports.

Building on the success of the weekend, Minister Tkatchenko pledged his official support for the community’s upcoming Christmas Games scheduled for December 2026. The tournament concluded safely, reinforcing Tainaladeara's ongoing commitment to building a positive sporting culture and driving local youth development.