By CHARIE DUMAVI
NATIONAL Sports federations in the country will now benefit from K1 million funding that is made available to assist them in their operations next year 2024.
The funding, made available two years after the launching of 2021-2050 Sports Policy, is going to be available to the 40 national federations in the country starting next year.
This was announced by PNG Sports Foundation Chief Executive Officer Albert Veratau and PNG Olympic Committee General Secretary Auvita Rapilla in Port Moresby.
Veratau said the money is to support the federations to employ sports administrators in 2024.
He said it is a significant moment and a step in the right direction for sports in the country.
“It’s about making sure that we have people paid and working in those federations to ensure that there is consistency in the administration of that code because most of the positions there are pretty much on volunteer basis,” Veratau said.
“As the government continues to talk about sports, we need to make sure our federations are managed well so this is one way of making sure that we support the federations in developing.”
He said federations are crucial to the development of sports in the country ao the government should look into making sure the funding continues beyond 2024.
Veratua said this is to ensure the government’s goal of monetizing sports and reaching sporting talent in the rural areas is attained.
“This is a great support for the sports federations,” Rapilla said.
“Out of the 40 member federations, only seven that have fulltime paid staff and administrators.
“The rest are all run by volunteers so this support will definitely go a long way.”
“NFs have a responsibility from the grassroots right to the top where they sent the teams as part of team PNG or to world cup and championships.”
She acknowledged the PNG government and said a set criteria meeting the requirements of the PNGSF and PNGOC will be put together for federations to satisfy before they are eligible for funding.
PNG Sports Foundation Chief Executive Officer Albert Veratau. – Picture supplied
