By GABRIEL KATUHO
The International Training Institute (ITI) has donated K18,000 to the Port Moresby Cricket Association (POMCA).
ITI chairman and co-founder Senthil Kumaran presented the cheque to POMCA president Dean Ani and his executives.
Mr Kumaran said the donation was part of ITI’s sponsorship assistance to POMCA since 2009, which aimed at creating opportunities for unemployed and under-privileged youths through sports.
“It’s been 16 years now in partnership with POMCA supporting and sponsoring them. Since we started, we have spent about K280,000 plus, including the scholarships, and this year we are giving K18,000, which amounts to K300,000 in total so far.”
Kumara pledged ITI’s continued sponsorship assistance for POMCA and its youth development program.
POMCA president Ani thanked ITI for its ongoing sponsorship and partnership, which had seen a lot of players from POMCA represent the Papua New Guinea through the Barramundis and Siales national men’s and women’s teams.
He said as the biggest cricket association in PNG with more than nine, POMCA would continue to develop young talent with funding assistance from ITI.
“The support that comes from ITI goes a long way. I mean most of the players are unemployed. The funding support will also boost the corporate sanctioned cricket tournament (T10) that is expected to kickoff later this year with 35 teams and other tournaments like 40-overs which may start in next Monday,” Ani said.
He added that POMCA was working on nurturing young cricket talents through a pathway program, which would involve young children in Port Moresby.