The following is a speech delivered by Bougainville Copper regional liaison officer and local chief Peter Garuai at the recent Toniva Soccer Association grand final between Metora FC and KSK FC which was won by KSK.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of Bougainville Copper Limited, it is a pleasure to be here today for what was an exciting and spirited grand final between Metora FC and KSK FC.
Congratulations to KSK FC, its players and supporters on a fantastic win.
BCL has long been a true believer in the significant positive benefits sports such as soccer bring to our young people and, also those not so young.
Sport helps promote healthy and active lifestyles as well as camaraderie and friendship. It also instils a sense of discipline and teamwork which are important attributes to take into other areas of life such as work or study.
Sport also promotes unity among people which is a very important thing as we head towards the referendum.
The Toniva Soccer Association and clubs like KSK and Metora are to be commended for providing opportunities for people to participate in organised competition. As well as players, sport involves a whole range of people from coaches and referees and other officials through to spectators.
It certainly takes a big effort from a lot of people to ensure that clubs and competitions are well run and that events such as today are a success. As a company, BCL thinks it is important to recognise these efforts by providing our support.
We were delighted to be able to assist the Toniva Soccer Association with a lawn mower and loud hailer during the season and, also in the provision of the trophies and awards for today’s grand final.
Soccer is of course a very popular sport in Bougainville, and we like to encourage widespread participation.
Earlier in the year, BCL assisted with the distribution of soccer balls to elementary schools in Panguna and Kieta Districts and we hope to reach more schools in Bana and Wakunai Districts when more balls arrive.
This was in support of a wonderful programme run by PARK Social Soccer Co which saw families from Hampton Junior Soccer Club in Melbourne, Australia team up with PARK to provide 80 balls for local distribution.
And as part of BCL’s own community engagement programme, additional soccer balls as well as volleyballs, nets and ball pumps will be distributed in Kieta District in the near future.
I am pleased to announce here today that Toniva Soccer Association has been identified as one of the recipients of soccer balls and a ball pump while several sporting associations within Kieta District will also receive some of these balls and equipment.
This is all part of our ongoing community projects to build capacity of sporting organisations through the distribution of sporting equipment for soccer and volleyball.
Back in August we also partnered with the ABG’s Department of Community Development to support upskilling for volleyball coaches and referees from Panguna District.
By working cooperatively together we can make a positive difference in the lives of local people in areas such as sport and also culture, health and education.
BCL is actively supporting worthwhile community initiatives in all these areas. For example, we are proud to be partnering with respective ABG departments in a vaccination programme and with the roll-out of a teachers’ capacity building programme for Panguna and Kieta Districts.
As a company, BCL remains totally committed to Bougainville and we are also optimistic about what the future can hold and we persist for the right reasons.
Thanks again once again for this opportunity.