Cricket Papua New Guinea (Cricket PNG) Development Officer Quanaki V. Gaudi is set to represent Papua New Guinea at the International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia Pacific (EAP) Regional Conference 2026 in Japan. The four-day conference will focus on strengthening the “Business of Sport” and connecting cricket with younger audiences across the region.
Held under the theme “Business of Sport – Connecting Cricket with a Younger Audience,” the event comes at a pivotal time for the EAP region, with the 2026 Asian Games and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifiers in 2028 on the horizon. The conference will bring together board directors, presidents, CEOs, and general managers from across East Asia and the Pacific to explore innovative strategies for youth engagement and sustainable growth in cricket.
For Ms. Gaudi, who marks five years with Cricket PNG this year, the opportunity is both professionally significant and personally meaningful. She departed for Japan today to attend the conference on behalf of Cricket PNG.
“I am excited and nervous about this trip to Japan,” she said. “This is my first time travelling overseas, and I am humbled because this is not only my opportunity, but also our Cricket PNG Development Team’s opportunity.”
She credited her selection to the collective efforts of her colleagues working at the community level across Papua New Guinea.
“I got this opportunity because of the work they are doing in their communities. It’s because of them that I have this chance,” she said. “I am grateful to the Board and Management of Cricket PNG for this opportunity, and I am proudly representing them all.”
The conference aims to strengthen partnerships within the EAP region and position cricket as a modern sport capable of inspiring the next generation. With global tournaments approaching, youth engagement is seen as critical to expanding cricket’s footprint and ensuring long-term sustainability.
As a development officer, Ms. Gaudi plays a frontline role in grassroots cricket initiatives, working closely with communities to nurture young talent and broaden participation. Her attendance at the conference reflects Cricket PNG’s commitment to investing in professional development and aligning local programs with international best practice.
From the conference, she hopes to gain deeper insights into leadership, innovation, and the commercial aspects of cricket administration.
“I want to learn more. I want to hear what other countries are achieving successfully,” she said. “I want to do my job better and learn from leaders in the Business of Sport. There will be board directors, presidents, CEOs, and general managers, and I hope to understand how they conduct their work and tackle challenges.”
While eager to learn, Ms. Gaudi also intends to share Papua New Guinea’s experiences with regional delegates.
“As much as I listen and learn, I also want to share our experience,” she added.
Her participation underscores Cricket PNG’s growing presence in the EAP region and highlights the crucial role of development officers in shaping the future of the sport. As cricket gains momentum in the Pacific, representation at high-level regional forums ensures PNG remains engaged in discussions that will define the game’s next steps.
Cricket PNG congratulates Ms. Gaudi on her selection and thanks her for representing the nation at the ICC EAP Regional Conference in Japan.
