The Papua New Guinea Boxing Union (PNGBU) led by President Dr. Gideon Kendino, Secretary General Martin Liri, and Referee & Judge Kazu Temu, announced the union’s 2025 programs on Wednesday, January 22nd, at Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby.
Boxing had a strong showing in the 2023 Pacific Games, bagging 8 medals and dominating the ring. It’s one of the codes that continues to produce positive results for PNG. As such, it needs strong support from the Government and business houses to keep performing at the highest level.
PNGBU’s 2025 Events:
January 6th-31st: Oceania Championships Squad Training at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
February 1st-28th: Squad Training Elite Camp in Goroka (NSI) depending on the availability of funds.
March 9: Kokoda Boxing Challenge versus Australia, with final selection trial for the Oceania Championships.
March 31st to April 6th: Oceania International Boxing Association (IBA) Senior Men’s & Women’s Boxing Championships in Tahiti.
May 10th-16th: Highlands Regional Boxing Coaching & Referees Workshop in NSI in conjunction with PNG Games Management.
May 30th to June 6th: World’s Men’s Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan or Turin, Italy.
July 18th-24th: PNG National Boxing Championships and AGM in Lae; MOMASE Regional Coaching & Referees Workshop in conjunction with PNG Games Organizing Committee; Naming of PNG Commonwealth Games Boxing Squad; and naming of the Pacific Games Large Training Squad for 2027 in Tahiti.
August 12th-16th: New Guinea Islands Regional Boxing Coaching & Referees Workshop.
September 1st-16th: PNG Games at Western Pacific University (WPU) in Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province; Talent identification for Junior/Youth Commonwealth Games in 2026, including the Pacific Games and Oceania Youth Championships.
The first agenda on the union’s 2025 calendar is the Kokoda Boxing Challenge versus Australia, where the final selection of the fighters will be made to attend the Oceania International Boxing Association Championships slated for March 31st in Tahiti.
To boost PNGBU’s programs this year, the Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (KMHL) has come on to support the boxing union for a five-year period, ultimately becoming the naming rights sponsor of the code.
Adding to the excitement, PNGBU Secretary General, Martin Liri announced that the Lamana Hotel would be the official home of the union, in terms of accommodating overseas fighters when they travel to PNG to take part in any sanctioned tournaments.
President Kendino said the selectors were pleased with the squads (men & women) they had assembled, but admitted that further trimming would be made in the coming weeks before the list is finalized for traveling.
“We are happy with the fighters that have been selected. However, a trial will be held on March 9th to drop three or four fighters who are currently in the squad,” Dr. Kendino stated.
“The selectors will see how the fighters go and they will be looking at the potential squad to participate in the men’s and women’s elite championships in Tahiti.”
One notable omission in the squad is Jamie Pang. He was supposed to be in the squad but has pulled out of participating in the National Championship last year to focus on professional boxing.
Dr. Kendino pointed out the need to have qualified coaches and referees, highlighting that the PNGBU is planning to run regional workshops or seminars to equip the technical officials.
President Kendino, Secretary Liri, and Referee/Judge Temu urged the Government, through the Sports Ministry and PNG Sports Foundation, as well as the business houses to support the PNGBU as they look forward to taking part in the Oceania IBA Championships and other programs lined up for this year.
PNGBU Train-on Squad for the Oceania IBA Championships in Tahiti:
Men: David Ome (49kg), Kainti Paul Oaike (51kg), Bid Michael (54kg), Allan Oaike (57), Naki Saguba (60), John Ume (63kg), Fidelis Laia (67kg), and Simon Ori (71kg).
Women: Koli Bali (49kg), Quincy Kaevakore (54kg), Milli Saul (57kg), Flora Loga (60kg), Petronella Nokenoke (63kg), Sheilla Yama (66kg), Leontine Keven (70kg), and Liranda Kidu (81kg).
Officials:
Head Coach - Mark Keto
Assistant Coaches - Jack Willie, Toksie Seteme & Joe Aufa
Team Manager - Martin Liri
Assistant Manager - Leonie Madgwick
Referee & Jude - Kazu Temu
Delegation Leader - Dr. Gideon Kendino
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