Thousands of city residents including NCD Governor, Powes Parkop participated in the 2024 Trukai Fun Run to support Team PNG’s Olympic Dream in Port Moresby on Sunday 7th July, morning. Amongst the participants was Governor Parkop’s special guest from Vanuatu, Lord Mayor of the City of Port Vila, Steve Kiel and four of his councillors. They have been in the city for a week to learn and appreciate what is being done to transform Port Moresby as a livable city. The delegates who return this week were happy to join the governor to support this worthy cause. The annual Trukai Fun Run was successfully hosted at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium along Champion Parade. Newly appointed president of PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) Emma Waiwai, French Ambassador, Guillaume Lemoine; executive management of Trukai Industries Limited and representatives of major sponsors including the National Capital District Commission Director for Community and Social Services Janet Haua also joined the Governor in the fun run. Governor Parkop thanked the corporate sponsors and everyone for turning up in big numbers to support the fun run as well as to walk for their health, fitness and wellness. “On behalf of all of us, I want to thank Trukai Industries for always being here for PNG Olympic Committee, for our sports men and women, going to different competition, regionally and internationally,” said the Governor. He presented a cheque of K13, 000 to Mrs Waiwai on behalf of NCDC as its extra contribution apart from the payment of fun run t-shirts to support our athletes to the Paris Olympics. Governor Parkop also used the opportunity to appeal to everyone to take personal responsibility for their own health, fitness and wellness, reminding them that 62 percent of all deaths in the country now is caused by non-communicable diseases (NCD) or lifestyle diseases. “It’s a major killer now.” “We have to therefore balance between preventive health care and curative health care,” he stressed. The Governor also congratulated and welcomed the appointment of Mrs Waiwai for her appointment as the President of the PNG Olympic Committee noting that it was first time for a woman to be appointed to this prestigious position. He also thanked outgoing president, Sir John Dawanincura for his long and distinguished service to sports in the country. Mrs Waiwai said this year’s fun run, supported by generous participants in purchasing t-shirts in solidarity with team PNG marked another significant step towards achieving their goal. She announced that funds raised from this year’s Trukai Fun Run will be crucial in supporting our athletes’ preparation to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.