Archbishop Cardinal Sir John Ribat, Patron of I CAN Sports, has acknowledged the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for allocating K500,000 in April 2026 towards the construction of a mini sports stadium at Emagave, Mimanalo LLG, in Eastern Highlands Province.
Construction work has already commenced, heading into stage one of the project, which includes community mobilization and clearing of the sports field area.
The mini sports stadium is expected to be completed in 2027.
The funding from NGCB supports Archbishop Cardinal Sir John Ribat’s rural sports initiative, which has been running in Lower Mimanalo since 2021 under the project theme, “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Eating Diets.”
The program has provided sports and community development opportunities to rural communities over the past five years.
The rural sports initiative and the construction of the mini sports stadium align with Papua New Guinea’s Vision 2050, the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), the National Health Plan, and the National Sports Strategy theme, “Go Rural, Go Global.”
“How can we collectively and inclusively go global in sports if there are no decent sporting facilities and consistent sports programs in our rural communities, which are often neglected?” Cardinal Ribat said.
He commended the National Gaming Control Board’s Community Benefit Fund for supporting projects that contribute meaningfully to human resource development through improvements in physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.
An architect engaged to design the facility is expected to visit Goroka this week to inspect the project site, undertake infrastructure planning, prepare detailed facility designs, identify required building materials, and provide cost estimates for construction.
Once completed, the facility will feature two standard rugby fields with grandstands, basketball and volleyball courts, a gymnasium, toilets, shower facilities, water and electricity services, a conference venue, a snack bar, and car parking areas. The design will also allow for future expansion and the inclusion of additional sporting codes.
Cardinal Ribat emphasized that lifestyle-related diseases, including HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and tuberculosis (TB), continue to affect many Papua New Guineans. He said that promoting sports and healthy lifestyles through community-based programs can play an important role in improving public health outcomes and empowering rural communities.
The project is expected to provide a lasting platform for youth development, community engagement, and sports participation in Eastern Highlands Province.
