The Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Isikeli Vave Jnr and his delegation had a fruitful discussion with the PNG Sports Foundation CEO Mr. Micah James and his officials on Friday 7th November 2025 at the PNG Sports Foundation Head Quarters in Port Moresby.
The discussions were centered on the following issues.
The business modelling of sports and the media. PNG and Solomon Islands are exploring the potential of hooking up sports to the media platform, through broadcasting and TV channeling. This aspect of branding sports and our sports men and women through the media and television has the potential to generate huge revenue for the sports sector. The technical aspect of the process will be further discussed by the officials of both countries.
- The meeting also put emphasis on the importance of reviewing current sports legislations and policies to accommodate proper sporting governance mechanisms and also the business aspect of it, such as sporting brand and merchandise commodified for trade by designated sports entity and not any retailers or suppliers as is currently seen in our situation. All local sports merchandise will only be owned and sold by our sports entity as stipulated by law or policy.
- The importance of integrating sports courses through the TVET programs is also another opportunity worth exploring. The CEO of PNG Sports Foundation and Hon. Vave echoed that setting up target markets for sports related employment opportunities is a potential, and both PNG and Solomon Islands can drive this initiative through their national sports institutes. This also extend in the beefing up of physical education programs that are career path centered.
- The issue of sports decentralization was also discussed, proposing more investments and resources needed to establish sports facilities in the provinces. This is purposely to raise sports standards and the level of competition in the provinces. PNG and Solomon Islands share many similarities and challenges in terms of accessibility to sports facilities in the rural communities. Hon. Vave informed that Solomon Islands is putting effort on this agenda through his Ministry, and few provincial sports projects are already in implementation stages.
The meeting was followed by site visits to the sports facilities managed by the PNG Sports Foundation. The Solomon Islands delegation learned the business modelling aspect of facilities and recreational management done by the PNG Sports Foundation on their sports facilities. Hon. Minister Vave is keen to replicate some of PNG’s best practices in sports facilities management to assist build and strengthen our sports facilities management in the country.
The Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Vave and delegation is in PNG to attend the 4th Edition of the MSG PM’s Cup and the MSG Sports Officials and Ministerial Meetings that will commence next week.
