K336,600 raised at Port Moresby Auction for Team PNG

The Port Moresby edition of the Trukai Fun Run Auction held on April 28th proved to be a major drawcard among residents and the local business community, with 14,600 t-shirts sold and K336,000 raised. The auctions are a pre-cursor fundraising event in the lead up to the annual Trukai Fun Run, which aims to promote healthy living and raise funds for Team PNG. All funds raised will be used to fund Team PNGs participation at the upcoming 2023 Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Youth Games and the 2023 Solomon Islands Pacific Games.

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and Trukai Industries Limited (TIL), the key stakeholders of the Trukai Fun Run, would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Port Moresby business community for their continued support of Team PNG. The organizations are particularly grateful for the generous support and attendance at the Trukai Fun Run Auctions by government entities, business houses, and residents in support of Team PNG and local schools who are beneficiaries of the auctions.

Sir John Dawanincura, President of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee took a moment to recognize and thank the top five bidders at the t-shirt auction – Brian Bell, Sports Minister, IBS University, Shady Rest Hotel, and Ad Effects Limited - for their invaluable support. "Your contributions have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for your commitment towards Team PNG and your chosen schools. Your generosity is truly inspiring and gives us the motivation to continue our efforts to provide the best possible launchpad for our Team PNG athletes," he said.

"I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Trukai Industries for their unwavering and continued support of the Fun Run event and our elite athletes," said Sir John. "Their partnership with the PNGOC over the last 23 years has been instrumental in the growth and development of sports in Papua New Guinea and helping the organisation fund Team PNG’s participation in several international multi-sport events."

Acknowledging the organizations and government entities that participated in the auctions, Trukai Industries Limited Chief Executive Officer Alan Preston thanked the commitment and support shown by the business community towards Team PNG. He expressed his gratitude and optimism for the upcoming auctions in Lae, as well as the annual Trukai Fun Run.

“We are excited to bring back the Trukai Fun Run event after a three-year hiatus due to covid 19. This year we look forward to the event which will be held on 20th August and we anticipate it to be bigger, better and safer for all to attend, said Preston.

The success of the 2023 Port Moresby Trukai T-shirt auctions would not have been possible without the valued contributions of our support sponsors. The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee and Trukai Industries would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to Air Niugini, Theodist, IBSUniversity, Brian Bell Group, Blue7 Team, and Coral Sea Hotels for their tireless support and dedication to the Trukai Fun Run campaign. The commitment of these sponsors to this event has truly made a difference, and we look forward to their continued partnership and support in the future.

Participating organizations have the option to add their branding onto the purchased t-shirts prior to their donation to the respective schools.

The Fun Run t-shirt design also features the message - ‘CoverYourCough’ in support of the national government efforts to curb and reduce the prevalent rate of tuberculosis in our communities in collaboration with Business4Health.  

Schools receiving the auctioned t-shirts will have the opportunity to sell them at a maximum price of K20, with all profits going towards their respective operating costs or projects.

The first Team PNG contingent departs for the Commonwealth Youth Games in late July, the PNGOC is again appealing to other organizations and Papua New Guineans to get behind Team PNG.