The National Sports Institute (NSI) came alive during an exciting week, 11^th to 16^th April 2023, filled with various activities by clients who use its facilities. The week saw three major events take place, including University of Goroka’s (UOG) graduations, Goroka District Games, and a Digicel Exon Mobil Cup match between Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and Hela Wigmen. These events attracted more than 46,000 people, making it an good week for UOG Graduates and sport enthusiasts in Eastern Highlands Province.

The University graduations took place at the Institute during the week. The graduation ceremonies were a momentous occasion for the graduates, and NSI provided the perfect venue for the event. The Institute’s facilities were well-suited for the graduations, with ample space and seating arrangements for the graduates and their families. The events were a success, with UOG staff, students, and graduates and their families appreciating the hospitality of NSI for providing an excellent venue and support services for the ceremony. A total of 17,248 people entered the Institute to witness the graduation.

In between the two the graduations, the Goroka District Sports Authority (GDSA) hosted their Goroka District Games at the Institute, which attracted a large number of participants and spectators. The games provided an opportunity for young athletes from around Goroka District to showcase their talents and compete against each other. Games played were: Touch Rugby, Volleyball, Rugby League 9s, and Soccer.

The Institute facilities, including the well-maintained sports fields and courts, are well maintained and in top condition, ensuring that the games were played at a high standard. Athletes and spectators alike enjoyed the event, with GDSA expressing their appreciation for NSI’s effort in providing the venue for such a such a successful event. The event attracted a total 23,303 participants, and spectators to the Institute.

The final event of the week was the Digicel Exon Mobil Cup match between Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and Hela Wigmen. The Institute was filled to capacity with over 5,000 enthusiastic fans, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The match was closely contested, with both teams putting on a great show that resulted in a 32-32 all draw.

Overall, the week of activities at NSI was a resounding success. The NSI’s facilities provided an ideal setting for the various events, and the staff worked tirelessly to ensure that everything ran smoothly. With more than 46,000 people attending the events, it is clear that NSI is a valuable asset to the country’s sporting community and organizations wanting to host events.

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology and Sports Hon. Don Poyle, recently paid a visit to the National Sports Institute (NSI) to meet with the Director, staff and resident athletes.

The Minister, who was accompanied by officials from his ministry, was given a tour of the facilities by the Institute’s Director.

During the tour, Hon. Poyle had the opportunity to interact with athletes from the Institute’s Athlete Development Program (ADP) who are training at the Institute. He was impressed with the level of dedication and commitment that the athletes displayed towards their training, despite the challenges they faced. The Minister also spoke with the coaches and trainers who are responsible for the athletes’ development and training programs. He encouraged the ADP Athletes to represent the country as good ambassadors in all their domestic and international competitions.

Hon. Poyle emphasized the importance of sports in the development of the country. He noted that sport had the potential to not only promote physical health but also to develop values such as respect, discipline, and leadership. The Minister pledged to continue supporting the development of sport in the country by providing the necessary resources and infrastructure.

Furthermore he also spoke about the importance of higher education in sports. He noted that education was crucial in providing athletes with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed both on and off the field. The Minister pledged to work closely with the National Sports Institute to ensure that athletes receive the necessary support to pursue their academic and athletic goals.

The visit by Hon. Don Poyle to the National Sports Institute was an important step towards promoting sports development in the country. It demonstrated the government’s commitment to supporting the growth of sports and providing athletes with the necessary resources to succeed. The Minister’s pledge to continue supporting the development of sports and higher education is a positive sign for the future of sports in the country.

The National Sports Institute took time out today to recognize and celebrate International Women’s Day. This organization is almost equal in terms of gender participation at our workplace with 42% who are women serving in various roles at this Goroka office.

This year 2023 the IWD theme raises awareness on diversity, equity and inclusiveness. We continue in our endeavors to recognize and push for a “world where difference is valued and celebrated”. Together with all our women folk in the sporting fraternity and community here in the Eastern Highlands, we acknowledge and celebrate women who have raised the level and participation of sport in Papua New Guinea. There is still a lot more we can do.

Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity .

#internationalwomensday23

#applaudequalityforwomeninsport

The NSI Athlete Development Program (ADP) has resumed officially for 2023 with the last lot of athletes arriving at camp on Monday 20th February. The ADP has grown since 2020 having started with just 3 athletes. This year the Institute granted five (5) new athletes into the program giving a total of 13; two of whom are now US based. This makes it 11 ADP athletes officially in camp. In addition to the eleven, 1 female athlete, Joy Tieba, is granted ‘Probation’ status until her performance qualifies her to be part of this residential program.

Preparations began at the end of January with Medical Checks and a series of Fitness Tests. This ADP demands a 50-50 percent effort in both Training and Education. Two athletes are enrolled at formal school in Year 12, one is upgrading Year 12 at Department of Open and Distance Learning (DODL), while the rest are registered at Flexible Open Distance Learning (FODE) Goroka Centre to complete their education.

The month of February saw athletes getting back to shape in the gym and at the track. Schedules are pretty hectic with sessions starting as early as 5.30am and ending with study sessions concluding at 9pm. These athletes have an arduous task ahead as competitions are just around the corner. They have to get into a training routine at the same time, maintain a regular study pattern. This will continue until their first competition in May this year.

Our Team:

Assistant coaches Mike Smith and Philip Kamane return back on duty supporting Head Coach, Mr. Samu Sasama, in various capacities. The team hope to excel this year again under the stewardship of Mr. Sasama.

Director NSI acknowledges the continued support of the PNG Sports Foundation through the CEO Mr. Albert Veratau. We also appreciate and thank our partner Athletics PNG Inc. for their assistance towards the program so far. Much gratitude to the families, friends, and Eastern Highlands for backing us when we reach out to you.

Tune in the next time as we profile our athletes leading up to the Highlands/Momase Regional Athletics Championship in Goroka on 27th – 28th May 2023.

The National Sports Institute (NSI) through its Sports Information & Information Technology (SIIT) section conducted its first training for the year 2022 on the PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF) Online Database system. The NSI is a division of the PNGSF based in Goroka, EHP. This software was developed by this section to capture and house all the data from all sports training or workshops conducted by the organisation in all centres.

In brief, the rudiment database system was created back in 2008 on a simple Excel spreadsheet. By 2010, data collected up to that year were migrated onto Access. Over the years, the database did not improve or serve its purpose as we faced challanges in freighting raw data to NSI given the region’s geographical locations, and the database was somewhat isolated as there was only one or two data entry officers designated to that database at NSI. 

PNSGF saw the need to give current and real-time data to its stakeholders in terms of Sport Programs conducted right around the country. Hence this development by NSI’s IT Manager to capture these data. A total of 19 staff are in attendance at this training. 5 from Lae, 1 from Kokopo, 1 from AROB, and the rest from NSI. The purpose of the training is to introduce this Online Database software to all regional program staff; to appreciate the forms necessary to generate the right data; and, to access and input data from anywhere at anytime as long as they have internet connectivity. With the use of technology, any PNGSF program staff with granted access can enter data immediately after their training from any locality. Once the data is inputed, reports can be generated accordingly and provided as and when data is needed. For example, a report may be requested for how many programs conducted in the EHP by PNGSF; how many people trained in a certain program in a year; and/or how much a particular program costed in any given year. 

Director NSI thanked all those who were able to travel to attend this important three-day workshop. She stressed again on the importance using the correct forms to enter correct and factal data only. Limited access may be granted due to the security of the data. This same training will later be conducted for PNGSF staff in Port Moresby.  

Lead Facilitator: Mr Henry Tom

Director of NSI, MS Janet Gimots

NSI SIIT Section, Course Presentation

The ICT Section conducted a Professional Development Training on how to create and publish articles, stories, and updates on NSI activities through its website : http://www.pngnsi.org.pg

The training was conducted by ICT Manager Mr. Henry Tom who has developed the website. 

Please check our website for updates, activities, and articles on NSI’s current activities.

Goroka town and the National Sports Institute came alive last weekend during the International Rugby League test match between PNG Orchids and England Women. England Women won the match 24 -10.

The Primary School Sports Program conducted a ball games festival featuring Volleyball, Touch, and Futsal (five-aside-soccer) on Thursday, 5th Sept 2019.

District school teams from 5 districts within Eastern Highlands Province attended the one day competition. The districts are: Goroka, Henganofi, Daulo, Unggai-Bena, and Obura-Wonenara.

All sports were contested under two divisions – under 16 and 16 plus.

Results

The overall winner of the festival is Goroka District with Obura-Wonenara as runner up. Unggai-Bena District won the under 16 Division while Goroka District took out the 16 plus division.

The Primary School Sports Program is an initiative of the Institute and it is conducted under the Sports Excellence Section. The concept has grown from strength to strength since its roll out in 2017 and to date it is driven through all districts in EHP. The concept will soon be rolled out into other provinces as well.