by Lorraine Genia – EM TV, Port Moresby
The small and heavily populated island of Daru in the Western Province has lacked financial support in developing sports in the township.
While sports plays a vital role in any given community, the people of Daru Island believe rural outlets should be given equal opportunities in regards to the development of sports, to places like Port Moresby and Lae.
With one main playing field in the heart of the town, and a basketball court not far off, the town has very little to make do with.
There are three main sports played, supported and embraced within the community – Rugby union, rugby league, and basketball.
Chairman of the Daru Urban District Council and president of the Daru Rugby Football Union, Kerry Gera, has a long standing of involvement with sports initiatives.
He made note that, of the many things visible in the under-developed town, was the lack of development to the infrastructure.
Daru’s basketball courts are a beneficiary of BSP’s Community Initiative Project, and one of the first refurbishments to take place in years.
BSP Daru brach manager Ivy David said the development of sports should be taken into serious consideration by the government, and should be a responsibility under the wing of all provincial governments throughout the nation.
Mr Gera alongside his executives and members of the Daru Urban Council have made a pledge to continue to embrace sports into their community, to keep the youth away from the likes of robbery and elicit substances.
