The recently concluded Momase Regional Youth Games is seen as a catalyst for change amongst the rural youths of the Momase region. Rural based youths have had little or no opportunity to participate in organized sport tournaments at the regional until the inception of the Regional youth games concept last year. The Momase Regional youth games last month created the platform for rural talents to be exposed and identified for further skills development.
The PNG Sports Foundation High Performance Unit had scouted 60 players in total under the 5 sporting codes (volley, basketball, touch footy, soccer, para-athletics) from the games played from 25th – 30th September in Madang.
Furthermore, 2 male soccer talents from Angoram were scouted to join the National Soccer League (NSL) and one female basketball talent selected join the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships Women’s Basketball to be hosted in Port Moresby later this month. These are rural talents brought right to the fore, using the RYG as the sport career pathway. This is an opportunity of a life time brought close to them via this sporting concept which is rural oriented.
A call is made to the National Sports Federations with the respective Provincial Sports Associations (PSA) to work together and unlock rural talents, and foster mindset change in youth. The onus is on us as stakeholders to cultivate a mindset shift in the youths so that they see themselves as valuable assets in the society. The concept blends well with the NYDA motto;” leaving no youth behind” as it strives to provide opportunities for further skills development.
The Regional Youth Game concept resides on 3x important government policy; PNG Sports Policy, National Youth Policy, Integrated Community Development Policy, – making it a home-grown concept with rural focus. It’s not limited to sports only but accommodates SME activities, church activities, and cultural displays aslo as part of the program.
The cream of the RYGs is to identify rural talents and push them for further skills development, the Momase games accomplished it as evidenced with the 60 youths selected for further skills development. We thank Madang Governor, Hon Pariwa, and Provincial Administrator, Mr Lau for their undivided support to the concept, and the Games Organizing Committee.
The tripartite partners behind the concept; NYDA, PNGSF, DFCDR, are pleased with the outcome and look forward for the Highland &NGI Regional Youth Games next year. Let us hold hands and shape the behaviour of rural youths via this platform.
