Election materials for the Western Highlands Province arrived in the province and have been safely and securely stored away, says Highlands Eastern-End Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi. Mr Neggi said the materials were picked up by security personnel at the Kagamuga airport in Mt Hagen and brought directly to the Kimininga Police Barracks in the Western Highlands province. Mr Neggi reassured candidates, supporters and the people of Western Highlands Province that the materials are secure. He said security personnel are monitoring and providing 24-hour security for the ballot papers. “We do not want to see anyone coming around to the Kimininga Police Barracks. You have no reason to come around unless you are a security personnel assigned to watch over the election materials. Only security personnel are allowed to stay there as they are performing their constitutional duties in monitoring and keeping close eyes on the election materials,” Mr Neggi said.

A team from PNGDF NATEL 22 Task Group two last week has successfully established ties with all the Districts Returning Officers from Morobe Province. The team comprising of Morobe Provincial Disaster Coordinator MR Charlie Masangke, PNGDF Medical Doctor Captain Janet Lama, and three security officers from PNGDF and RPNGC. The team began their trip last Tuesday, 21st June 2022 and went to Wasu, Finschhafen, Menyama, Wau, Bulolo, Gairaina, and Morobe Patrol Post. The team’s main purpose of the visit is to conduct election updates, and health assessments, get updated information on law-and-order issues, establish communication and conduct intelligence reports to all the visiting districts. Chief Warrant Officer Okland Tovue was happy about the districts they had visited and stressed the importance of their visit. “Our visit here is to establish a network with election officials including relevant stakeholders on the ground, assess election updates, security-related incidences, and identify hotspots and possible threat groups and indicators. .” said PNGDF Task Group 2 Intelligence collection supervisor Chief Warrant Officer Okland Tovue. During their visit, the team managed to talk to a few of the district Returning Officers and most of them are happy about their visit. Menyama District Returning Officer Mr. Nande Awape said that throughout the nomination period his district was very quiet with no election-related violence. “I am happy about the security team's visit. In Menyama we are very quiet here during the nomination period and we are hoping for the polling and counting period to run smoothly to the end”. Said Mr. Awape. The team was successfully transported by the PNGDF Rotary Wing 212 Bell Helicopter.

Save the Children is deeply concerned that children are being exposed to harm at political rallies and calls on politicians to keep children safe. Children that are being used by politicians during rallies and campaigning risk being exposed to violence, alcohol usage, and threats to their personal safety. As an organization committed to upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Save the Children views this matter very seriously. Save the Children's Country Director Fiu Williame-lgara expressed concern about the trend being reported in the media about children being exposed to harm during the election campaign period. "We're concerned about the impact on children's protection, education, and overall wellbeing when they are made to be involved in election-related rallies or campaigns and the harm that may be caused to them during this period as it can be volatile." "Save the Children is calling on politicians, parents, and caregivers to be more responsible and vigilant ensuring children are kept safe during this time and are not being put in harm's way." About Save the Children Save the Children has been working in PNG since 1974. Our work covers 70% of the country, and we have an estimated total reach of 1 ,000 000 children from working across 22 provinces and have 6 field offices located in 5 provinces — Morobe, Western, Eastern Highlands, East Sepik, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. SCPNG is guided by a clear 2022-2024 Strategic Plan that is aligned to the Government of PNG's (GoPNG) policies and priorities and has a model of delivery that embeds staff in key sector agencies of Government at national and provincial levels. SCPNG invests in GoPNG priority sectors of Education, Health, Wash, Protection of Women, Girls, and Children, and more recently in cash programming.

Lae City FC proved to be the best football team in PNG knocking out an in-form Hekari FC outfit yesterday in the OFC champions national play-offs at the PNG Football Stadium two goals to one. A well organized Hekari side scored in the first half of the play through the boots of striker Orbert Simon to lead at the break 1-0. The visitors from Lae came into the game again in the latter half when Mathew David scored a double to send Hekari home. Lae City will now represent PNG at the OFC Champions League later in the year.

A fitting farewell for captain David Mead. The PNG LNG Kumuls made sure the skipper was sent off on a high note in a brilliant match against the Fiji Bati, defeating the boys from Fiji 24 to 14 last night.  

On Friday 24th of June Digicel PNG Foundation launched the 20 for 20 Leadership for Change Community Grants for 2022. Through this grant program, the foundation will be giving up to K1,000,000 worth of grants to community based organizations whose work aligns with the Foundation's development priorities. Through the Community Grants Program, Digicel PNG Foundation aims to create a network of organizations that are working on the front lines in their communities to address education and literacy, health, sustainable livelihoods and community safety. Since 2019 Digicel Foundation has awarded 52 grants totaling K2.5million to organizations from all over the country. A grant can go up to K50,000 and can support projects dealing with water, sanitation and hygiene, literacy centers, housing for health workers, safe houses and a range of other projects. Digicel PNG Foundation CEO, Serena Sasingian said that the aim of the program is to support local organizations who are solving problems in their own communities. “We know there are an abundance of organizations who are working to address some of our most pressing challenges from health to law and order and they need to be supported. Most of these organizations will not be able to meet the requirements of the large donors so we have tried to ensure our application process is as easy as possible for these local organizations to apply.” 2020 Community Grant Recipient, iCare4U is one such organization that has been improving the quality of life for those individuals who are marginalized and living with the effects of HIV & Aids. George and Crystal Nitta, Founders of iCare4U used the grant to build the women’s bathroom block at the iCare4U grounds. “we are so grateful for our women's bathroom block as we can now offer clean water for shower's and a safe, private place just for them. One of our ladies has seen her skin issues improve due to the fact that she can now shower daily with clean water” Since the established of Digicel Foundation is 2008, K161 million has directly invested in rural, remote and socially marginalized communities across all 89 districts in PNG, directly impacting over 900,000 lives.

Rugby league legend Cooper Cronk has signalled where the game will be won and lost for Queensland and New South Wales in Game II. The Blues came into the series opener full of confidence before rookie coach Billy Slater knocked them down a peg with a tactical masterclass. Queensland came away with a 16-10 win at Accor Stadium in Sydney and now Brad Fittler’s band of Blues will put it all on the line to secure a series decider. Fittler has made several key changes to his NSW side, while Slater has only made changes out of necessity after injuries. The former Storm and Maroons legend singled out the Blues middle forwards as the key to their victory, while pinpointing how Queensland can combat their rampaging pack. BLUES’ RAMPAGING PACK The NSW forward pack was heavily criticised following the series opener. Pundits explained they were beaten convincingly in the ruck and provided minimal cover for star halfback Nathan Cleary to pull the strings. Queensland’s forwards, including debutants Reuben Cotter and Patrick Carrigan, charged down the field off the back of quick ruck speed. Meanwhile, the Blues struggled to dent Billy Slater’s well-drilled defensive line. Now, Cronk has highlighted the NSW middle forwards as the key to cracking the game open and allowing Cleary, Luai and Tedesco to play free-flowing, attacking football. “I think the key to the game will be the start of NSW’s forwards, if they get up and running at the start which I expect,” Cronk said to foxsports.com.au. “Junior Paulo, Isaah Yeo, Payne Haas and Jake Trbojevic, you put those four down as the key for NSW for me. “I think if they start well and get the momentum and the grunt that obviously Cleary and the like need, I think that is the key to NSW’s victory.” Picture courtesy: nrl.com

It has been a rapid rise to representative honours for 21-year-old Sylvester Namo. After making his debut for Lae Snax Tigers under now Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend in 2020 and joining the SP PNG HUNTERS in 2021, Namo will make his Kumuls debut in tonight’s Pacific Test against Fiji. “It has been a really good week,” the Goroka-born, Mount Hagen-raised prop told PNG Kumuls Media. “I’ve enjoyed the boys’ company and the camp here. We’ve got to know each other well and can’t wait to play together. “I’ve particularly got to know Justin Olam, David Mead and Lachlan Lam, and one thing I’ve learnt from them is to enjoy every moment of this experience, because it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around often and it’s a short camp that will just come and go.” When he runs onto the field for the PNG LNG Kumuls tonight, Namo will be thinking not only of his parents back in PNG, but also of his mother figure on the Gold Coast, where he and his Hunters teammates have been based since 2021. “Her name is Tessa and she’s our unofficial Mum up there,” he explains. “She’s there if we need help with anything, she cooks for us sometimes, and she’s like a mother to us on the Gold Coast, our home away from home. She has travelled down to Sydney for this match, so I’m looking forward to running out in front of her.”

VA’A – 1 x Bronze Bronze – Women’s 24km V6 Marathon TENNIS – 4 x gold, 2 x silver Gold – Women’s Singles – Violet Apisah Gold – Mixed Doubles – Matthew Stubbings & Violet Apisah Gold – Women’s Doubles – Violet & Patricia Apisah Gold – Women’s Team Events – Violet Apisah, Abigail Tere-Apisah & Patrica Apisah. Silver – Men’s Singles – Matthew Stubbings Silver – Women’s Singles - Abigail Tere-Apisah [caption id="attachment_22946" align="alignnone" width="675"] Picture Courtesy: Team PNG Facebook page[/caption] ATHLETICS – 5 x Gold, 7  x Silver, 7 x Bronze  Men's - Hammer Throw Athletes: DEBONO PARAKA Medal: Silver Men's - Ambulant Shot Put Athletes: MOREA MARAROS Medal: Bronze Women's - 100m Hurdles Athletes: ADRINE MONAGI Medal: Gold Men's - 110m Hurdles Athletes: DANIEL BAUL Medal: Silver [caption id="attachment_22947" align="alignnone" width="675"] Picture Courtesy: Team PNG Facebook page[/caption] Women's - High Jump Athletes: RELLIE KAPUTIN Medal: Gold Women's - 5,000m Athletes: SCHOLASTICA HERMAN Medal: Bronze Women's - 5,000m Athletes: MARY TENGE Medal: Silver Women's - 200m Athletes: ISILA APKUP Medal: Bronze Women's - 200m Athletes: LEONIE BEU Medal: Silver Women's - 200m Athletes: TOEA WISIL Medal: Gold Men's - 200m Athletes: TERENCE TALIO Medal: Bronze Men's Athletics Men's - 200m Athletes: LEROY KAMAU Medal: Silver Men's - 1,500m Athletes: AQUILA TURALOM Medal: Bronze [caption id="attachment_22948" align="alignnone" width="675"] Picture Courtesy: Team PNG Facebook page[/caption] Men's - 1,500m Athletes: GEORGE YAMAK Medal: Silver Men's - Triple Jump Athletes: PENIEL RICHARD Medal: Bronze Women's - Heptathalon Athletes: MONICA KOROWI Medal: Silver Women's - Heptathalon Athletes: EDNA BOAFOB Medal: Gold Women's Athletics Women's - Ambulant Shot Put Athletes: DONNA LONGBUT Medal: Bronze Men's Athletics Men's - 4X400m Relay Athletes: DANIEL BAUL, JONATHAN DENDE, LEROY KAMAU, SHADRICK TANSI Medal: Gold

Kumuls debutant winger Robert Derby grew up “all over PNG” as part of a globetrotting childhood that took him from Mendi to Vietnam, and eventually to Far North Queensland. The 20-year-old, who plays for Cairns-based Northern Pride in the Hostplus Cup, told PNG Kumuls Media about his upbringing. “My Mum is from a small village called Busamung in Morobe. She lived there until she was 18 and then moved around PNG. She was living in Mendi when she was pregnant with me but had to go to Port Moresby to give birth, so I was born there. I grew up in Mendi, Busamung, Goroka, Mount Hagen, pretty much everywhere because my Dad was a civil engineer so wherever he went for work, we went too. “I was about four years old when we moved to Vietnam for his work, but we went back and forth between Vietnam and PNG until I was about seven, and when I was eight we moved to Cairns but still went back to PNG three or four times a year.” Now settled in Far North Queensland, the youngster has been picked up by the North Queensland Cowboys as part of their young guns program until at least the end of 2023 and will soon begin training full-time with their NRL squad. But first, he is relishing the opportunity to represent his country. “The Kumuls camp has been an unreal experience so far, just getting around the boys. Everyone is so friendly and wants to get to know you. It has just been a privilege, but it’s not a given thing. We all deserve to be here and we all worked pretty hard to get here, so hopefully we can rip in today's game”

Hekari United FC and Lae City FC are looking for a tough match when they meet in a one-off OFC Champions League play-off at the PNG Football Stadium on Saturday in Port Moresby. Two Captains Daniel Joe (Hekari) and Emmanuel Simon (Lae City) said they expect a tough game. "We came prepared for this and will give our best shot on Saturday. Both teams are injury free and the supporters should expect a good game come Game Day. Coach David Muta said Lae City FC is the current Champion and Hekari will have to work extra hard to beat them. "They are a champion oufit but my young guns will be there to give them a good game," he said. "This will be my first job as a coach and will give my best barking orders from sidelines," the former Hekari skipper said. "We are not treating Hekari United FC lightly", Lae City FC skipper Emmanuel Simon said.

Highland Eastern-end Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi has stated that as of this week all political rallies or gatherings within the township of Mt Hagen must be sanctioned by the Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander. Commander Neggi issued this instruction when condemning the actions of two Hagen Open electorate candidates Mr William Duma and Mr James Yoka for the disruption caused to Government and commercial services in the heart of Mt Hagen city, on Tuesday 21st of June. He said the swift response of the security forces on the ground contained the situation but it could have been much worse. He said Police have stepped up special security operations and road blocks around Mt Hagen to prevent further reckless behaviours going into the polling period. The fight between the two candidates’ supporters allegedly began when Mr Yoka’s supporters during a rally at the Pope John Paul Oval stoned one of Mr Duma’s supporter’s vehicle. A fight broke out but was quickly quelled by the Quick Response Force (QRF). It was further alleged that Mr Duma’s supporters then ambushed the rally goers at Kalakai and set alight a vehicle belonging to Mr Yoka’s supporters as they were returning. Commander Neggi commended his officers for their swift response in taking control of the situation and preventing it from escalating further. Deputy Highlands Eastern-end Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop said the national election is an important event for the people to exercise their constitutional rights to vote for a leader of their choice without fear, threats or intimidation. “I appeal to the people, especially youths, to understand the importance of this event that comes once every five years,” Mr Tondop said. Police have issued a stern warning to all the intending candidates to take control of their supporters and their emotions or else they will be held responsible. Images sourced: Hagen Current Affairs