South Pacific Brewery are the major sponsors of the forthcoming National Boxing Championships in Papa New Guinea.
In what has been described as a rare move, SP Brewery contributed K200,000 towards the staging of the championships set for Arawa, Central Bougainville in September.
The launching of the sponsorship was done in Buka by the manager, Corporate Affairs, John Nilkare Jr.
Nilkare Jr presented the dummy cheque to the president of North Bougainville Amateur Boxing Association (NBABA), Patrick Koles, and Bougainville Amateur Boxing Association, Victor Sihung this week.
The occasion was witnessed by the president of PNG Amateur Boxing Union, John Avira.
Avira said he is happy that Bougainville accepted to host the National Boxing Championships.
He further gave credit to Bougainville for producing some of the best boxers for Papua New Guinea in the past, and it is still doing so.
“We will continue to develop boxing in Bougainville and I thank SP Brewery for coming in with the sponsorship”, said Avira.
Nilkare Jr said SP Brewery previously supported rugby union in 2016 and is now looking at boxing as a way of giving back something to the people of Bougainville for being great customers of their products.
He said they have to showcase the length and breadth of Bougainville.
“The leverage has made it possible for us to sponsor boxing,” he added.
During the national championship, there will be more targeted messages to the community in regards to how violence grips the community and how sports can be used for unity.
Mr Sihung, said preparations for the championship are well underway.
Mr Sihung said the funds will be used to stage tournaments in North, Central and South Bougainville.
Plus, the national championship that is set for the school holidays in September.
“The funds will also be extended to address the issues of violence in Bougainville,” he added.
“On behalf of the boxing fraternity in Bougainville, we would like to thank SP Brewery for coming in with the sponsorship as it is a first of its kind for the region,” Sihung said.
