The two provinces sharing the PNG-Indonesian border have for the first time established a student to student relationship, thanks to the recently launched Vanimo Jogging Club.
The first joggers were off course eight students from Skow Primary in Papua province Jayapura, and close to 80 students from Vanimo Primary in West Sepik.
This event attracted many students, the working class and business houses from in and around Vanimo.
The Vanimo Jogging Club is an open Club and everyone in Vanimo is encouraged to jog, either in the morning or in the evening. The traffic came to a standstill when the whistle signalling the start of the jog was blown.
Runners jogged a distance of 200 meters starting at the Vanimo grandstand, along the Army Barracks, past the Indonesian Consulate, towards the tower and back to the finishing line.
It was the students who enjoyed it the most. A student from Skow said, “I am happy to come to Vanimo particularly as a participant of the Jogging club”. The place is so beautiful and I look forward to coming back. Their one week preparations definitely paid off.
The event had four divisions consisting of grades five, six, seven and eight and an open division for all adults.
The one important thing the initiated is the establishment of a good relationship between these students.
The event was then officially launched by the Indonesian Consul in Vanimo, Jarharph Gultom, and the Deputy Acting Sandaun Provincial Governor, Paul Neggai.
It ended with presentation of prizes and the students and officials from Papua travelled back to Jayapura.
Meanwhile, both the Indonesian Consul in Vanimo Jarharph Gultom and the Sandaun Provincial Administrator Henry Norm, are looking at further strengthening the relationship between the two Provinces at a more grassroots level.
Talks are underway to create more combined activities like finishing, swimming and even barbecuing.
Other annual programs which are already in existence are the Vanimo- Jaya Choir Festival which will be held in July and the Ten Kee (K) Cross Country Run in September of this year.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=NnyJ_-dC2f4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
