PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape has hailed kickboxing as a powerful tool for steering young Papua New Guineans away from crime, drugs and social breakdown.
He has praised former world champion Stanley Nandex and the Papua New Guinea Kickboxing Federation for turning sport into a platform for youth discipline and leadership.
Speaking at a major national kickboxing tournament at the Taurama Aquatic Centre precinct in Port Moresby, Marape said the sport was helping shape character, not just athletes.
“I am greatly encouraged by what I have witnessed today,” he said.
“Watching these young men and women compete with determination and courage, and then embrace one another with respect after each contest, reminds us that sport is about much more than winning. It teaches discipline, respect, self-control and responsibility.”
Marape said those values were essential to national development, arguing that organised sport could help build a more disciplined generation.
“These are the very qualities we want to see in our young people as we build a stronger Papua New Guinea,” he said.
The Prime Minister singled out Nandex as proof that background does not define destiny.
“Stanley Nandex is living proof that your background does not determine your future,” Marape said.
“He has openly shared that he left school after Grade 6, yet through hard work, discipline and dedication to kickboxing, he rose to become a world champion.”
Marape said Nandex’s decision to mentor young people after his own success showed real leadership.
“More importantly, after achieving success, he has chosen to give back by mentoring and organising young people throughout our country.
“That is true leadership. His life demonstrates that success is not simply about personal achievement but about lifting others.
The Prime Minister said his government wanted closer partnerships with sporting bodies that were actively investing in young people.
“Our government stands ready to partner with sporting organisations that are genuinely investing in our youth,” he said.
He said the administration also wanted to link young athletes to education, business and labour mobility pathways.
“We want to connect these young people to opportunities beyond the sporting arena.”
“Participants in organised sports can be linked into our Second Chance Education Programme so they can continue their education. They can also access Small and Medium Enterprise programmes to start businesses or become eligible for Labour Mobility opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.”
Marape said sport taught practical life skills that extended well beyond the ring.
“When young people participate in organised sport, they learn discipline, teamwork, respect for authority and the importance of following rules,” he said.
The Prime Minister also called for stronger support from provincial and district authorities, as well as the Ministry of Sports and sporting associations, to expand grassroots programmes nationwide.
He said the government would continue looking at funding options through the National Gaming Control Board and community development funds to support youth sport.
“We will utilise support through the National Gaming Control Board and encourage resource project community development funding, including appropriate allocations from community benefit funds, to help support organised youth sporting programmes across Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“Our objective is simple: keep our young people engaged in positive activities, keep them away from drugs, alcohol, crime and other destructive influences, and help them build successful futures.”
