7th PNG Open Karate Titles

By Carl Mari, President, PNGKF

Sensei Walter Schnaubelt

Papua New Guinea Karate-Do Federation (PNGKF) 7th PNG Open Karate Titles in Port Moresby has been confirmed for the 19th – 20th April 2014. It coincides with the scheduled Train-On Squad Training Camp. The camp will be on 12th – 18th, then breaks for the tournament for the two day event. The Train-On Squad members from Bougainville, East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, Manus, Morobe, Madang, Oro, Eastern Highlands, East Sepik, Central and the National Capital have confirmed to attend the two events.

The PNGKF executive committee met on Saturday 15th March 2014 to confirm the tournament and discussed other related issues. PNGKF newly appointed Tournament Director Sensei Walter Schnaubelt was also part of the weekends’ meeting. He will be taking charge of the organisation’s tournaments, including the Karate competition in 6th PNG Games and in 2015 Pacific Games.

Events to be in the PNG Open Karate Titles are; Point Contact Kumite, Full Contact Kumite, Kata (Traditional), Musical Kata, Kobudo and Tameshi-Wari. The categories for the Open Titles for both Male and Female are as follows; Seniors (+18 years), Under 21 Years (18-20 years), Juniors (16-17 years), Cadets (14-15 years), and Children (9-13 years).

As this is an open tournament, martial artists from other styles such as, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Hapkido, Tang Soo Do, Choi Lee Fut, and other styles are welcome to attend.

Interested competitors and martial art clubs should call the Karate Development Officer, Mr. Willie Leslie on mobile 72776677 and PNGKF Treasurer Mr. Joseph Kubul on 71690504 for further information.

PNG softball loses sporting icon

Late Jack Pidik.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) sporting community is mourning the passing of softball sporting icon, Jack Pidik.

Pidik, from Matupit in East New Britain (ENB), died peacefully in Cairns on Monday. He is survived by his Australian wife, three children and grandchildren.

The late Jack Pidik has been described as a pioneer in softball after transitioning from baseball and was among the talented players from Matupit who founded the Brown Eagle softball club. He was also in our first team to play in Guam.

During his life, the late Pidik, went on to become a softball administrator and coach. He was behind the emergence of the Gazelle softball club which went on to win 18 grand finals.

In honor of the late Jack Pidik, all softball games this weekend have been cancelled.

PNG karate names train-on squad for 2015 Pacific Games

PNGKF President, Carl Mari

The Papua New Guinea Karate-do Federation (PNGKF) has named the train-on squad in preparation for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby. This includes two teams, A and B, in which athletes selected will have to prove themselves in competition and training to make the final cut.

Team A consists of Gladys Wallace, Vincent Quintin Bougen, Hillary Waswasa, (Bougainville); Gewa Rupa, Miriam Stanley, Lera Kose, Dominic Sipapi, Naorei Joseph, Joseph Smith Jnr, Francis Oa Jnr, Ismael Stanley, Billy Maino Jnr, Jason Kilangit (Central Province); Francis Vigil (ENBP); Eddie Martin, (ESP); Jacklyn Barney, Maryanne Porika, Suwari Matus, (Morobe Province); Doris Karomo, Crystal Mari, Violet Wangihau, Sarah Ande, Annabel Joseph, Joancherrie Revui, Nigel Bana, Sailas Piskaut, Leonard Geriadi, Cosmas Saliawali, Bernard Sinai (NCD); Atomu Amani, (New Ireland); Kevin Duna, (Northern Province); Peace Kaiwa, Romana Asiange, Ernest Nuli, Nick Ngasele, (WNBP).

While Cletus Mason, Rolan Morga (Bougainville); John Kajona, Mckainne Kennedy, Dennis Kopman, Gima Peter, Geita Maraga, Cathy Wilson, Terah Efi, (Central Province); Bathshiba Nogo, Llane Munau, Timothy Alovare (EHP); Joan Abala (ENBP); Manu Mekere, Emil Golopau, Franrich Hura, Randolph Mekere, Sebby Desmond, Sebulon Tamur (Morobe Province); Julius Piku, Owen Gigiro, Jason Carl, Theophil Meta, Andrew Molen, Chris P Molok (NCD); Mosley Taitai (New Ireland); Basil Oriri (Northern Province); and Alois Masusulu (WNBP) make up team B.

President of PNGKF, Carl Mari, also advised the athletes that there are only 31 spots for karate in team PNG and athletes are encouraged to give their best in training and competition to make the final team.

The final team will be announced at the end of April 2014.

Stone’s Taekwondo to conduct three week training program

Stone’s Taekwondo is planning to expand its franchise clubs all over the country with a special training program to be conducted from December 2 – 22.

The three week program will cover traditional and sport taekwondo, specialised fitness, hand to hand combat, weapons, administration and drug awareness.

Taekwondo exponents from all over the country are invited.

Program fee is K400 which covers boarding, meals and training gear. However, there are only 60 spaces available and registration is between November 15 – 25.

Stone Taekwondo can be contacted on (+675) 73929111 /71178367 or email stone-jamuga@yahoo.com

Source: PNGWarrior.com

Sailing course at the Royal Papua Yacht Club

Upu Kila

A week long sailing course is being facilitated at the Royal Papua Yacht Club in Port Moresby by former Papua New Guinea (PNG) hobie cat champion Upu Kila.

Kila, who is listed in the Hall of Fame by the Palm Beach Sailing Club (PBSC) website, moved to Australia in 1992 and has since been recognised as one of Australia’s most successful hobie cat sailors.

The training course is funded by the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) under the Go for Gold (G4G) program and aims to develop and prepare our young sailors for the 2015 Pacific Games.

Meanwhile RPYC sailing instructor, John Numa, is grateful that an expert like Kila has come up to teach sailors.

The program which started on Saturday will end this Thursday.

PNG Sports Minister has no more comments

Justin Tkatchenko

Papua New Guinea’s Sports and Pacific Minister, Justine Tkatchenko, is tight lipped and will not comment on the awarding of a contract to the Chinese Railway Construction Engineering (CRCE) to build the 2015 Pacific Games village.

According to The National, documents reveal that the company was not on the list of top three firms to bid for the project. However, CRCE was awarded the contract at a cost of K263 million – despite scoping valuation estimates at K190 million.

New Zealand firm, Warren & Mahoney, carried out scoping and the tender evaluation committee of Central Supply and Tenders Board (CSTB) disqualified CRCE from further evaluation. They also recommended Fletcher Morobe Construction to be awarded the contract at K191 453 553.80.

The other two companies that were considered were China Habour Engineering Ltd and JIC Niugini Engineering Ltd. However, Minister Tkatchenko maintains there is “nothing sinister” about the contract and said he had already spoken to the media about it and will not comment any further.

PNG tops IX Pacific Mini Games medal tally

PNG marching into the Kafika Stadium for the closing ceremony.

Papua New Guinea has topped the medal tally of the IX Pacific Mini Games in Wallis & Futuna after winning 30 gold, 26 silver and 31 bronze medals.

They finished ahead of Tahiti who got 26 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze while New Caledonia came in third with 21 gold, 13 silver and 9 bronze.

It was fair game for all countries but Team PNG proved too strong for her Pacific neighbours as we collected medals in almost all of the eight sports contested. Only rugby 7’s and women’s indoor volleyball missed out after both finished in 4th place.

While most people thought that this was a Team preparing well for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Team PNG Chef de Mission, Mr. Richard Kassman said that their focus was the 2013 Pacific Mini Games and not 2015.

“Our focus is 2013 and not 2015. We came here to compete and win medals at this Game and when 2015 comes, we will focus on 2015,” he said.

He said a medal won at the Pacific Mini Games is a medal and they will give their very best to win them.
When welcoming the Team back to Papua New Guinea on September 14, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said their win had given the country a wonderful present for their independence this year.

He said the country is proud of their achievement and each member of the Team should be proud of their performances as well.

Mr O’Neill also said this is a good start for PNG as they prepare to participate at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and the 2015 Pacific Games which will be hosted in Port Moresby.

“Your efforts at this Games has shown that you can do well in the Pacific but you can also do well at the Commonwealth and Olympic level if you are prepared well for it because nothing is stopping you,” Mr O’Neill said.

President of PNG Olympic Committee, Sir John Dawanicura, thanked the Government for their support to the Team and appealed to the Prime Minister to give more recognition to athletes and officials for their hard work and efforts to international Games.

Source - Sports Garamut (Issue 09) September 2013