Governor Pariwa backs Madang Touch Tournament to engage youths

Youths in Madang Province will now have a reason to engage in sports in their province.

Madang Touch Association will run a 3-day tournament in preparation to send a squad to a tournament in Milne Bay.

Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa on Friday committed K10,000 to support the Association.

Speaking at the Yabong field in Madang town on Friday, Governor Pariwa reminded teams and youths who had gathered that sports still is a major activity that keeps youths away from problems and social issues, and his administration remains committed to giving support to all the sporting codes in Madang Province to curb law and order issues.

"Today I am here for the youths who, for the last 10 to 15 years, have been part of the law-and-order issues which has tarnished the reputation of Madang," he said.

"Most of the youths involved in problems in our communities have been neglected. When they drop out of school, they are unemployed and become involved in activities involving home brew and drugs, which cause them to engage in a lot of law and order issues, and the end product is not good," Pariwa said.

Pariwa, when thanking the police who were present at the kickoff of the tournament, reminded the youths that the police to population ratio remains unmatched and such activities will help police in their work.

Governor Pariwa assured the teams that the rollout next year of the Governor's Cup in all the sporting codes will be bigger and better.

Madang Provincial Sports Coordinator Panchito Amepou said the Provincial Government is committed to support sports in the province with the Governor's Cup reaching all LLG's in the province.

"The Governor's sports program has reached out all over the province with funding support and I want to call on parents to encourage your children to take part in sports to avoid social issues in communities," Amepou said.

Madang Town Mayor Peter Yalsy said sports in Madang Urban has been overlooked by leaders in the past years and thanked Governor Pariwa for backing sporting codes in the province and in Madang Town.

"You have time for youths in the urban community that's why you made time available despite your busy schedule," Yalsy said.