Katiloma, located in the Sugu Valley Local Level Government in the Kagua-Erave District of Southern Highlands Province, will host an inaugural basketball tournament from December 21-27, 2024.
Sugu Valley has been ravaged by bloody warfare for almost a decade between various clans, which resulted in the loss of lives and properties, with the warring factions still negotiating to bring about lasting peace in the valley.
Samuel Tasa, the organizer or chair of the Sugu Valley Basketball Association, said the intention of hosting the Christmas tourney was to unite the people and expose the raw basketball talents.
“My aim of hosting this Christmas game is to bring peace in Sugu Valley, as the tribal fights took 12 years and the youths in the valley are involved too much in criminal activities and bad substances like drugs and alcohol,” Tasa stressed.
“I want to help promote the raw talents in the valley through sports (basketball) and unite everyone through peace-building awareness during the games.”
Tasa also intends to formally register the Sugu Valley Basketball Association and affiliate it with the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea, allowing the association to participate in sanctioned competitions or tournaments.
Mr. Tasa and his organizing committee are prepared to host the Christmas game, but they need some financial support to run the basketball tournament.
“We are ready to host the tournament. I initiated this tournament, but I’m seeking sponsorship or financial assistance,” Tasa said.
“No one is willing to help me but only the community is there to help me proceed with the preparations.”
Tasa revealed that if an individual, local MP, or a company comes on board to sponsor the Christmas basketball tournament at Katiloma from December 21-27, he would run the tourney every year.
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