It was a fun filled battle of games three weeks ago on Wednesday, 10 June this down at the home of the First Royal Pacific Island Regiment at Taurama in Port Moresby.
As the morning sun set its rays over the surrounding rain trees and into the neatly lowered greenish lawns on the field, teams marched their way on to the oval.
I grab my camera and walk past the assembled teams. I could see the eyes of the teams focusing towards the front, listening intently to the spoken words of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Chief of Staff, Colonel Mark Goina.
There in front of him were the assembled PNGDF southern unit teams from Goldie Training Depot, First Royal Pacific Island Regiment of Taurama, PNGDF Headquarters, Murray Barracks Force Support Battalion, Basilisk Naval Base and the Air Transport Wing.
It was the launching of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force 2015 Hiri Cup. As my eyes glanced around the field, I could sense that the day’s feeling was high with happiness.
Colonel Mark Goina was so pleased to see the turn out of teams at the opening parade. Goina said it is one of the 2015 PNGDF Commanders Statement of Intent priorities to see every service man and woman to be physically fit at all times.
Goina said the Hiri games is vital for the force as it will be an avenue to unite all units together with their families, and to participate and interact peacefully through the games.
“You cannot sail a ship, fly a plane and go to war if you are not physically fit. The PNGDF Commander Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo had gave his directive to branch heads and down to directors and into unit commanderss to see physical training and sports are conducted every week,” said Colonel Goina.
The purpose of the Hiri Cup competition is to promote a positive spirit amongst Port Moresby based PNGDF units, and to also encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle among service personnel and their families.
After the games opening, two sporting games of soccer and volleyball were played. It was a fun-filled day for the service personnel, and their families who cheered on top of their voices supporting their respective teams.
The games ended as the sun began to set, with Team Goldie named champions for the day.
PNGDF Hiri games have still got two more game days to be played. The Goldie Training Depot will be the host to the second Hiri games that will involve Touch Rugby and Netball coming this August .The final games will be played at Murray Barracks in which Force Support Battalion will be the host. The games that the teams will be participating in will include Basketball and Tug of War.
Currently all PNGDF southern unit teams are preparing to beat the leading Team Goldie, and take the spoils of the Hiri Cup back to their home barracks.
The winner of the Hiri Cup will be selected based on the team that scores the highest cumulative total across each of the events held throughout the year.
Mi Ripot submitted by Captain Barnabas Malken.
