The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) took this initiative by expending the Team PNG HERO Athlete Workshop across to Kokopo, Lae and Goroka to ensure that more athletes be part of this impactful program. The three-day workshop, which ran from Friday, 28th to Sunday 30th March, introduced athletes to the foundation of being a Team PNG HERO Athlete, delivering impactful programs, and taking action as HERO athletes. This initiative, which develops leadership and community engagement among athletes, is designed to empower sportsmen and women to create meaningful change in their communities through sport. This year’s batch of HERO athletes included 46 new members, with the highest number from Lae with 16, followed by 11 from Goroka, 10 in Port Moresby, and 9 in Kokopo. By expanding to new provinces, PNGOC aimed to reach athletes who previously had limited access to such programs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to inspire their communities. The Team PNG HERO Athlete Program is more than just a sports ambassadorship. It is a leadership program designed to impart core values of Honesty, Excellence, Respect, and Openness in athletes, preparing them to serve as role models both on and off the field. The program also focuses on community outreach through projects such as the Olympic Values Education Program (OVEP), Love Your Coast, and Kicks for Kokoda. PNGOC Secretary General Desmond Kaviagu emphasized the importance of this program. “The HERO Program is not just about developing great athletes, but great leaders. Expanding to Kokopo, Lae, and Goroka ensures that we are reaching more athletes who have the potential to drive change in their communities. This initiative is an investment in our future, in the character of our athletes and our commitment to nation building through our platform that is sports.” One of the participants, Eugene Eka, a national Touch Footy athlete, also took the time to express his excitement from these three days program. “Now that I am a Team PNG HERO athlete, I feel that I am prepared to go out and represent not just myself, my family, or my sporting code, but all Team PNG HERO athletes and practice the HERO values – Honesty, Excellence, Respect, and Openness.” The final day of the workshop focused on acting, ensuring that each athlete left with a clear plan on how they would apply their newfound knowledge and skills to benefit communities through PNGOC. As the Team PNG HERO Athlete Program continues to grow, PNGOC remains committed to expanding opportunities for athletes nationwide by nurturing leadership and empowering athletes as agents of change, this program is paving the way for a brighter future in Papua New Guinea’s sporting landscape.