THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee and Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation are pleased to announce their partnership engagement as program collaboration partners.
The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, 1st of March, signifying their joint commitment to provide symbiotic support for respective programs throughout the duration of the two (2)-year partnership.
Under this partnership, both parties will collaborate on several planned activities including school-based programs, community cancer awareness activities, and PNGCF’s calendar fundraising events – where Team PNG Athletes will be engaged as cancer prevention ambassadors.
These athletes are educators trained through the Team PNG honesty, excellence, respect and openness (Hero) program delivered under the Olympic Values Education Program (OVEP).
The OVEP program equips athletes with skills and knowledge to effectively engage with young adults and children. The selected athletes will be promoting the Hero values through the OVEP Program.
Representing PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) Secretary General Mrs Auvita Rapilla said Sports play key roles in addressing social issue.
“At the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, we recognize the critical role that sport can play in addressing key societal issues. Through our partnership with the PNG Cancer Foundation, we aim to progress the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals of Good Health and Well-Being, Gender Equality, and Partnerships.
By utilizing our existing programs and platform, we will raise awareness about cancer prevention and support services whilst working together to create a healthier and more resilient nation,” Rapilla said.
Meanwhile, PNGCF Executive Manager Ms Priscillar Napoleon thanked OCPNG and is glad to see the program roll out over the next two years.
”We believe that this partnership will have a positive contribution to the nation’s overall health indicators and development in promoting and advocacy on increased public health denominators through our respective programs to promote healthy lifestyle choices.
We look forward to working with the Team PNG athletes, through the PNGOC Team PNG H.E.R.O Program, with the hope to contribute to the ‘Close the Care Gap’ and build a stronger cancer prevention campaign in PNG,” Napoleon said.
The partnership will see young children and communities get the basic knowledge on different types of cancer and how to prevent them.
