NEWSPAGE 24 August
2009

(Photo: Manukau Rovers Rugby Football Club)

NEW ZEALAND: Mangere women rugby players recognised at prizegiving

(Photo: eventpolynesia.com)

SAMOA: Samoa government donates $5,000 to professional boxing
Source: eventpolynesia.com

Approval of $5,000 assistance by Cabinet last week towards the upcoming Samoa Pro-Am Fights (SPAF) in Apia on Tuesday 8th September has the professional boxing fraternity and boxing fans excited.

The grant has been given in support of Samoa local Pro-Boxers and upcoming sensation Vaitele Soi as the main event of the night against former PABA and IPF Pan Pacific champion Mohammed Azzaoui of New Zealand.

Soi who turned professional last year, has a record of six wins out of six fights, five wins by way of KO. His recent win in July in front of a capacity crowd at Faleata Gym 1 was in record time, knocking out his Fijian opponent in twenty five seconds into the first round.

The October promotion will feature veteran Welterweight former champion Ionatana Pula against up and coming Oli Filimaua. Other undercards includes Warren Fuiavailili verses Uale Leota in the Light Heavyweight division and Afakasi Pele Faumui against Tauave Vainuu in the Middleweight decision.

Mr. Tuilagi MS Esera of Event Polynesia Boxing said, “The financial assistance from Government is a huge boost to professional boxing in Samoa.”

“It will ensure we can continue to stage the much needed tournaments for local professional boxers to build their records, and to secure overseas opponents”, according to Mr Esera.

The announcement by Government comes at the same time professional boxing is celebrating another milestone, having its first two Samoan based professional boxers fighting for World Boxing Organisation (WBO) regional title shots in August.

Unfortunately, Seiaute Mailata’s (Samoa cruiserweight champion) challenge for the WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title against Dominic Vea of Australia was unsuccessful earlier in the month.

Dominic Vea is the current title holder after Lawrence Tauasa of Samoa who fought out of Australia lost the title after losing out in the Contender Series 4 TV tournament last year.

Setting the benchmark of professional boxing in Samoa to date now lies with Togasilimai Letoa’s (Samoa light heavyweight champion) taking a shot at the WBO Asia Pacific Interim title against NZ former Olympian and current light heavyweight champion, Soul Pounceby.

Letoa will be fighting on the 28th August at ASB Stadium Auckland ahead of the long awaited David Tua challenge on the 3rd October for the WBO Oriental and WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight titles currently with Shane Cameron.

Letoa and his corner Asiata Leon Stanley and Ale Vena Ale departs Tuesday for Auckland.

Photo Caption: (L-R) Togasilimai Letoa, Vaitele Soi & Seiaute Mailata.
 

(Photos: Riamoana Pasifika)

AUSTRALIA: Samoan power kids - Natalia Moors
Source: Riamoana Pasifika Press Release

Champion at 9 years old and still going strong 4 years later. In 2004 Natalia Moors was chosen out of thousands of qualifiers to represent Queensland in the annual States Championships (Townsville).

Her mother Liz Moors was not surprised when Natalia brought home to Brisbane, gold medals for the 100, 200 and 400 meter races. She also competed in shot put and long jump, demonstrating her diversity and stamina.

At 13 years old today, Natahlia Moors is competing against older opponents and currently holds the records for the 100, 200 and 400 meter races in her school, St Eugene's College, Brisbane.

How does a child like Natahlia come to realise and identify herself with this specific sport? Her mother, Liz Moors may have the answer.

"I think a child has to have true talent and passion for the sport they choose," said Liz.

"But first parents need to expose their children to different opportunities and disciplines before a child can focus on what they enjoy," explained Liz Moors.

Natahlia trains one to two hours in the morning before school and two to three hours after school four days a week. According to her mother this is only possible because Natahlia has the passion and love for the sport.

"When Natahlia trains or competes she needs to be totally focused and so it is my job to take care of the details like getting everything ready for her like; water bottles; towels; the right shoe spikes; socks etc," this is crucial commented Liz.

Natahlia is now training to compete in the Regionals in September to qualify for the Queensland State Championships coming up fast in late October.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Queensland State Championships in Townsville 2004 - Natahlia winning easily 100 Meter Sprint.

Photo 2 - Queensland Secondary School District Championships 2009 - Natahlia, Winner 100 Meter Sprint.

Photo 3 - Queensland Little Athletics Qualifiers 2008 - Natahlia receiving 1st Place Medals 100 Meter Sprint.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: OFC completes productive workshop in PNG
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

A week-long ‘Win in Oceania’ workshop concluded in Port Moresby on Friday (August 21, 2009) with Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) confirming its commitment to invest in Papua New Guinea football activities over the next six years.

OFC President Reynald Temarii, who led the FIFA/OFC delegation, says discussions with the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) were productive and thought-provoking.

“We listened intently to the PNGFA members and learned a lot about their needs and concerns. Now it is a matter of meeting those needs through the FIFA-funded Win in Oceania development programme.”

President Temarii made it clear at the beginning of the workshop that FIFA and OFC will only work with those of the 18 PNGFA member associations who took part in the proceedings. Discussions that followed included analysis of five key areas: competitions, administration, media and marketing, technical development and grassroots football. Delegates were split into groups according to the four government regions of Southern, Highlands, New Britain and Momasa plus a fifth group representing the National Soccer League (NSL) clubs.

Following a ‘SWOT’ analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), the FIFA/OFC delegation announced a number of recommendations amounting to PGK 13.5 million over the next six years. These recommendations included computer and internet access for all member associations, extensive referee and coaching programmes, commencement of the ‘Just Play’ grassroots initiative in 2010 plus support for the NSL, O-League, Futsal and other competitions.

Following the workshop, the PNGFA Congress was held to approve statutory amendments including the sale of land and suspension of Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA).

PMSA, the largest football association in Papua New Guinea, is currently facing internal problems with a majority of clubs rebelling against President Fabien Chow. Despite the suspension, the OFC President said PMSA is welcome back into the Papua New Guinea football family at anytime once the issues are resolved.

President Temarii said the week-long seminar illustrated that an overwhelming majority of PNGFA members clearly support PNGFA President David Chung and his Executive Committee, just as FIFA and OFC continue to endorse the administration.

With this level of support, President Chung says he is looking forward to developing football in Papua New Guinea according to the roadmap established during this week’s workshop.

“We are grateful that FIFA and OFC are working hand in hand with PNGFA to plan, implement and sustain development programmes that reflect the needs of this very diverse, unique and often isolated part of the world.”

In closing, President Temarii paid tribute to the PNGFA administration led by David Brand and Dimirit Meling.
 

(Photo: Australian Council of Women and Policing Inc.)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Police women making it happen
Source: Solomon Times

Six police women currently working in the Solomon Islands recently travelled from the tropics to far Western Australia for a conference in Perth next week.

The officers, include four from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and two PPF members Tina Westra and Anne Dellaca, who departed Honiara on Friday (August 21, 2009).

The RSIPF officers include Chief Superintendent Juanita Matanga and Sgt Hanna Malkmus of Human Resources, Senior Constable Clera Qila Paluso of Crime Statistics and Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner Sergeant Evelyn Thugea.

They are participating in the 6th Women and Policing Conference held in Perth which focuses on improving policing and the criminal justice system for women.

Commissioner Peter Marshall said he was thrilled the RSIPF officers were able to join the conference workshops be exposed to policy makers, law enforcement officers, researchers, human rights activists and women's services groups attending this forum.

"This is a valuable opportunity for our senior female police to build their partnerships in other forces and share their own professional skills and leadership in specialist workshops," he said.

"The RSIPF is grateful to Participating Police Force and Australian Federal Police for helping to fund their accommodation, travel and registration in the conference."

Chief Superintendent Juanita Matanga will lead a presentation for Partnerships in the Pacific Islands on the issue of Technology and Women in the Solomon Islands. Sergeant Evelyn Thugea will deliver a presentation called Networking in the Pacific, alongside AFP officer Leanne Lomas and a representative from Cook Islands Police.

Other key topics of interest including International Partnerships to End Violence Against Women, Keeping Women in Policing, Leading Change, Communication Styles, Media Management, Serial Sexual Assault, and Making It Happen for Indigenous Communities.

A theme of the conference is International Change with various case studies presented from Africa.

Program Manager Mission Support for RAMSI PPF Anne Dellaca will deliver a presentation on her recent experiences in Sudan. Her topic is Lifting the Veil - diversity in rebuilding the rule of law in Sudan. PPF Advisor Tina Westra will be on a panel: Domestic Violence Issues looking at an international perspective including Melanesia and East Timor.

A highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the 2009 Excellence in Policing Awards on Tuesday evening, 25 August at Government House.
 

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Forum on Noncommunicable Diseases
Source: WHO/SPC Joint Press Release

A major gathering of specialists and health administrators seeking to control the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Pacific will take place in Nadi this week.

Organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific NCD Forum 2009 is part of a joint approach to tackle these diseases in partnership with Pacific Island countries and territories and development partners.

Fifty representatives of the countries and organizations will review the progress of national NCD planning and implementation, identify challenges and gaps, and discuss effective ways of tackling the epidemic. The meeting includes clinicians, administrators and advisers on nutrition, physical activity, tobacco control, communications, monitoring and evaluation.

WHO and SPC have jointly developed a Pacific NCD Framework and the 2-1-22 Pacific NCD Programme (2-1-22 stands for two organizations, one team, serving 22 countries and territories). Development partners AusAID and NZAID have provided financial support for the programme, which has been endorsed by Pacific Ministers of Health.

With changing lifestyles and dietary habits, NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer are the main causes of death globally. In the Pacific, they account for 75 per cent of deaths. In addition, most Pacific countries are experiencing a double burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, with malaria, dengue and influenza prevalent in some areas.

The main risk factors for NCDs are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and excessive alcohol use. In most countries of the Pacific, these primary risk factors are common among the population as are intermediate risk factors such as obesity, raised blood pressure and high blood sugar.

Pacific Ministers of Health have recognised the serious impacts of the NCD epidemic and have repeatedly sought stronger action to control it.

The Forum will be held at the Tanoa Hotel in Nadi, Fiji from 24-28 Aug., 2009. It will be opened on Monday at 8.30am jointly by WHO Representative in the South Pacific Dr Ken Chen, and SPC’s Deputy Director-General Mrs Fekitamoeloa Utoikamanu.