The Australian High Commission has announced the successful 23 recipients of its inaugural Pilai Long Stap Wantaim (Play for Unity) Fund to strengthen community development and youth empowerment in Papua New Guinea through sport.
Representing 13 provinces and various community sports, each recipient will receive funding to drive positive change and promote inclusive participation, with a focus on gender equality, disability inclusion, peacebuilding, and youth leadership.
The Fund attracted over 100 applications from registered and unregistered sports organisations, community groups and individuals across Papua New Guinea, with the winners selected by an indepedent committee.
Speaking at the announcement reception at the Australian High Commission, Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Ewen McDonald said: “The Pilai Long Stap Wantaim Fund reflects Australia’s commitment to supporting community leadership and positive social change through sport in Papua New Guinea. Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, and Australia is proud to invest in sport in Papua New Guinea at all levels and further strengthen the Aus-PNG Partnership.”
Manager for Sports, Youth & Civic Engagement at the National Capital District Commission, Christopher Topa, who was also on the Pilai Long Stap Wantaim independent selection advisory panel, said: “I congratulate the recipients of the first ever Pilai Long Stap Wantaim Fund and commend all of the applicants on their submissions. It was inspiring to learn about the amazing work that Papua New Guineans are doing for their communities through sport all over the country, and thank the Australian Government for supporting these activities.
Representing the 23 recipients, Sophia Soli from the Center For Future Nau, expressed her appreciation for the grant.
“We sincerely thank the Australian Government for the Pilai Long Stap Wantaim initiative.For the Center For Future Nau, working in a low-resource and security sensitive location, we want to use table tennis to become an inclusive and safe space for women, girls and out of school youth to open dialogue on gender-based violence,” she said.
Pilai Long Stap Wantaim further strengthens sport as a key element in the PNG-Aus Partnership, which already includes Team Up, PacificAus Sports, Play for Equity, the PNG Chiefs and the upcoming Pacific Rugby League Partnership.
ENDS
Recipients of the inaugural Pilai Long Stap Wantaim Fund with the Australian High Commissioner, HE Ewen McDonald.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100