It’s at the local level—right here—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other special Olympic athletes and the community.
Special Olympics Papua New Guinea was established on the 27th of September 2012 as a Founding Committee Member Group.
In 2015, SOPNG was recognized as a fully accredited program affiliated with Special Olympics International (SOI) and Special Olympics Asia Pacific (SOAP). SOPNG is also incorporated with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We are dedicated to empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and respected members of society through sports training and competition.
The Founding Committee Members of SOPNG include, Olympian Takale Tuna (President), Paralympian Ben Theodore -V/President, Cutie Frances Moi (Treasurer), Sophia Tuna (/Secretary/Sports Program Manager), Lady Janet ToRobert (Special Projects), Bennie Moi (Family Program), Thomas Kahai (Youth Program), Dr Gideon Kendino (Healthy Athletes Program), William & Helen Nege (Parents rep), Thompson Ninkama (Athletes rep), and Saimona Mokupe (Physiotherapist).
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continued opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Olympics PNG is currently looking to find an official sponsor. However, we are proudly supported by the PNG Sports Foundation & WR Group of Companies (Boroko Motors).
Madame Lynda Babao O'neil is a passionate supporter of Special Olympics PNG. Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu & his family are also passionate supporters
Founded on the 27th of September 2012, Special Olympics Papua New Guinea (SOPNG) was established to provide sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
In 2015, SOPNG was recognized as a fully accredited program affiliated with Special Olympics International (SOI) and Special Olympics Asia Pacific (SOAP). SOPNG is also incorporated with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).
Special Olympics PNG has had a full schedule of events for the last 5 years and this committee works really hard to raise funds to implement all its programs. All committee members are volunteers who take time from their busy work commitments to run SOPNG. So far, there are programs in the Nations Capital, Central Province and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and East New Britain. A sub-program was launched in Bougainville in May 2013 call Special Olympics Bougainville (SOB) which is run by Mark Ketsin (Chairman), Victor Lomon (V/chairman) Grace Kehono (Secretary). A sub-Program in East New Britain called Special Olympics East New Britain which is run by Bennie Moi (Chairman) and his executives. Special Olympics PNG is currently running three (5) programs, Sports, Healthy Communities, Family Network Support, Young Athletes and Youth Activation.
To create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people.
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All our programs are conducted by volunteers, families, parents, siblings, relatives, and friends of people with intellectual disabilities. All executive members are volunteers who donate their time out of passion to support the most marginalized people in our country.
April Newsletter