Marape wants PNG Games to coincide with golden jubilee celebration in 2025

Prime Minister James Marape has indicated hosting the prolonged PNG Games next year in conjunction with the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

Mr Marape said discussions have started between the government and the Games key stakeholders in PNG Sports Foundation and Southern Highlands provincial government along with ExxonMobil and Santos, after a 7-year break.

The delayed Games which have been postponed for 4 consecutive times were last held in 2017 in Kimbe, West New Britain Province.

Biannually held, the national sports festival referred to as Grassroots Games unites over 20,000 athletes around the country.

Southern Highlands was the next host after Kimbe but due to incomplete game venues, security threats, and financial constraints, the PNG Games, have continuously been deferred.

However, PM Marape has initiated negotiations to host the games next year rather than 2026 as agreed to by the Games Committee.

Mr Marape said the PNG Games should return in 2025 as part of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary activities – to be held in Southern Highlands Province.

He highlighted the vital role sports and PNG Games play in promoting and strengthening national unity among Papua New Guineans and thanked partners, ExxonMobil and Santos for once more agreeing to support this community-development program.

The National Government, Southern Highlands Provincial Government, PNG Sports Foundation, and stakeholder partners with interest in SHP, such as ExxonMobil and Santos, have to now meet the Games budget of K270 million.

ExxonMobil and Santos are working with the Government to assist fund the infrastructure for the Games as part of their community obligation to SHP as the developers of PNG LNG.

Initial planning has begun with surveys and scoping studies of the venue and facilities to be used in the Games already completed.

Thirty-three [33] schools have been identified to host different codes of sports, spreading the benefits across the districts where the new facilities will remain for use by students after the Games have ended.

Security is also a key component of the planning with 200 police personnel anticipated to work to secure the sporting event from start to finish.