By Godwin Eki – EMTV Sports, Port Moresby
The resource-rich township of Kiunga, in the North Fly District, is struggling to deliver sporting services, to its up-and-coming athletes.
Youth in Kiunga are using the same field and courts to play rugby, soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
The main sports field in Kiunga town is the only field used by Rugby league associations, together with football, that shares the same field on separate days to play their games.
With rugby league being played on Saturday, soccer is played on Sundays. One of the many challenges on the ground is that the field is made up of gravel, that’s brought from the Alice River, into which mine waste is disposed of.
The only available stage for the officials was recently built and is used to house events that occur on the field. The field has no benches or sitting areas, for spectators to watch and enjoy the games.
Basketball and volleyball also have a similar story, both using one court to play.
With so much raw talent on the ground, not much is done to expose, let alone identify potential future representatives.
Youth on the ground say they need more options when it comes to sports, and venue, which is a major challenge, and one which makes it difficult to try out other sporting codes.
Over the years, youths in the province have been deprived of their right to attend national events, all because of the lack of support from their Provincial heads.
Using sports as a tool for change and development, sports representatives in the province are calling for the Sports Minister to visit the province and help them.
