PNG government increases spending on basketball
Over the past week, photos of Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape playing basketball have been making waves on PNG social media.
In one playful caption, the Prime minister is tagged as Lebron James Marape, an ode to NBA superstar Lebron James.
The photos were taken at the launching of a Golden Oldies competition, a new campaign to get retired people in their forties, fifties and sixties to exercise and live healthy.
Basketball PNG President David Peter says the tournament comes as the federation picked up 1 point 3 million kina from Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited to take part in four international events including the Mini Pacific Games and the Pacific Games.
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News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Aussie National Geographic photographer to host intimate safari tour
Australian photographer Jason Edwards has been shooting on safari since the 90s – so safe to say he's had some pretty incredible experiences. The Melbourne-born snapper, who has been a photographer for National Geographic for 25 years, started shooting at the age of eight, had his first images published at 14 and went on to buy his first camera a year later with his pocket money for $250 – and as the saying goes, the rest is history. He has taken his storytelling to dozens of countries and to every continent, snapping over a million frames across a bunch of reputable publications from BBC Wildlife, Australian Geographic, Sports Illustrated and The New Yorker. Jason's love for animals started from a young age, studying arts, science and biology and then going on to become a zoo keeper at Melbourne Zoo at 18. 'I started shooting lots of wildlife during that period because I was around it every day,' the award-winning photographer told 'All the money I earned from the zoo I would spend on travelling and buying camera equipment.' He eventually built a stock agency where publications would buy his images. The exposure led to his gig at National Geographic. 'They invited me to Washington to present and bring the work that told the story of my career at that point … they asked me to bring 150 frames,' he said. Once the presentation wrapped up, Jason was offered a contract on the spot. 'That was 25 years ago this year,' he said. As part of the role, the renowned Aussie photographer spends a lot of time on safari, having worked in Africa since 1992. And while he's had many wild experiences, there are a few that remain at the front of his mind, like being chased by lions during a project for Nat Geo, 10 years ago. 'It sounds stupid to even say it, but I was working with a mate of mine who was born in Chobe National Park. We were out working at night in an area we were allowed to work, and I said, 'Look, I want to get portrait shots of lions'. 'He said, 'yeah sure'. So we heard a pride in the darkness. I got out and the lions were all around in the dark, [and] a big male came and sat down and my friend's spotlight captured the male for me and I took some shots. '[But] the male went, 'hang on a minute, that's a human sitting on the ground'. So I get up and start running and the lion of course starts running after me.' Jason made it back to the four-wheel drive safely, but no footage of the insane moment was captured as the videographer who was also on the shoot was changing the batteries to his camera at the time. 'I spend my life doing this and the way I look at it, is every day is a gift. Because I know that every single day, whether it's in Antarctica or South Africa or the Amazon, would be a trip of a lifetime for someone else,' he said. 'I find that a privilege and I'm very conscious about that privilege.' And it's through his work at Nat Geo that he was able to score a partnership with Australian travel company Luxury Escapes where he will host and share his expertise for their first-ever safari tour. The intimate nine-day tour is part of Luxury Escapes Signature Series, a collection of limited-edition itineraries hosted by notable personalities – from MasterChef's Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan to pro golfer Nick O'Hern – and designed around shared passions such as food, sport, and now, wildlife photography. As part of the trip hosted by Jason, guests will explore the natural habitats of the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes – and learn how to look at the world through a different lens and capture the moment, whether shooting with a smartphone or DSLR. The itinerary features highlights such as Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls and the wildlife-rich Chobe River Front. 'The thing I would say about safaris is that it changes people,' Jason told 'It actually takes you out of your comfort zone and reminds you that the world is bigger than you.' He said the one thing he loves most about it is 'it transports people away from the concerns and worries that they have in the world and it puts them back on nature's clock.' 'They get to see those rhythms of life, so the heat comes up in the day and everything starts to slow down.' Jason said Southern Africa is one of the most visually stunning places on Earth. 'Its animals take your breath away and I can't wait to help my fellow safari adventurers see it – and photograph it – in a new light.' The one-off trip is designed for amateur photographers, wildlife lovers, and anyone with a penchant for adventure.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Tough club challenge awaits Auckland City's part-timers
Auckland City's players aren't full-time professionals and many have taken annual leave to compete in the Club World Cup, where they face what coach Paul Posa calls "the toughest group". New Zealand's champions, fresh from winning the OFC Champions League, will face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors in Group C of the revamped tournament, which starts at various US venues on Saturday, and Posa acknowledged their uphill battle. "It's quite possibly the toughest group we could have drawn," said Posa, who guided them to fifth place in the old Club World Cup in 2009. "We have two traditional European powerhouses in Bayern Munich and Benfica, and Boca Juniors, who are also capable of going all the way. "We have competed in many of the previous versions of the CWC competition, which has given us a broad range of experience allowing us to punch above our weight in the past. Our goals are to be prepared, and compete, to the best of our ability.'' Auckland enter the 32-team tournament months after claiming their 13th Oceania title and fourth in succession. Despite continental success, football remains a part-time commitment for the squad. "All of the players have other jobs alongside their football commitments," Posa said. "However, they have an extraordinary dedication to their football outside of their working hours. "Players have had to take annual leave from their jobs. Indeed, some of the players were unable to take time to attend both the OFC Champions League competition and the Club World Cup." The mid-June to mid-July tournament timing means it falls during Auckland's season rather than after it, as the previous version of the competition did. "The challenge of having the CWC fall in the middle of the season has been ensuring that players are in top form at the right times. However, I believe we're on track to achieve this," Posa said. Serving as caretaker coach for Albert Riera, who's away for family reasons, Posa previously managed Auckland from 2008-10. In the 2009 Club World Cup, they defeated the UAE's Shabab Al Ahli and DR Congo's TP Mazembe to finish fifth. The 63-year-old acknowledged how difficult it would be to repeat his 2009 success. "It's nice to dream we could be that competitive again. However, we're realistic about the challenge," he said. While temporary, Posa has maintained Auckland's established playing style. "It has not been difficult to maintain a playing philosophy that has evolved at Auckland City over many years,'' he said. "Of course, every coach puts their own fingerprint on a team.'' This stability underpins Auckland's continued success. "This comes down to building on experience gained in previous competitions, and a consistent focus on being well-organised and prepared, both on and off the pitch," Posa said. "The culture surrounding the team is such that they always want to win, and motivating them is no problem at all." Auckland City's players aren't full-time professionals and many have taken annual leave to compete in the Club World Cup, where they face what coach Paul Posa calls "the toughest group". New Zealand's champions, fresh from winning the OFC Champions League, will face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors in Group C of the revamped tournament, which starts at various US venues on Saturday, and Posa acknowledged their uphill battle. "It's quite possibly the toughest group we could have drawn," said Posa, who guided them to fifth place in the old Club World Cup in 2009. "We have two traditional European powerhouses in Bayern Munich and Benfica, and Boca Juniors, who are also capable of going all the way. "We have competed in many of the previous versions of the CWC competition, which has given us a broad range of experience allowing us to punch above our weight in the past. Our goals are to be prepared, and compete, to the best of our ability.'' Auckland enter the 32-team tournament months after claiming their 13th Oceania title and fourth in succession. Despite continental success, football remains a part-time commitment for the squad. "All of the players have other jobs alongside their football commitments," Posa said. "However, they have an extraordinary dedication to their football outside of their working hours. "Players have had to take annual leave from their jobs. Indeed, some of the players were unable to take time to attend both the OFC Champions League competition and the Club World Cup." The mid-June to mid-July tournament timing means it falls during Auckland's season rather than after it, as the previous version of the competition did. "The challenge of having the CWC fall in the middle of the season has been ensuring that players are in top form at the right times. However, I believe we're on track to achieve this," Posa said. Serving as caretaker coach for Albert Riera, who's away for family reasons, Posa previously managed Auckland from 2008-10. In the 2009 Club World Cup, they defeated the UAE's Shabab Al Ahli and DR Congo's TP Mazembe to finish fifth. The 63-year-old acknowledged how difficult it would be to repeat his 2009 success. "It's nice to dream we could be that competitive again. However, we're realistic about the challenge," he said. While temporary, Posa has maintained Auckland's established playing style. "It has not been difficult to maintain a playing philosophy that has evolved at Auckland City over many years,'' he said. "Of course, every coach puts their own fingerprint on a team.'' This stability underpins Auckland's continued success. "This comes down to building on experience gained in previous competitions, and a consistent focus on being well-organised and prepared, both on and off the pitch," Posa said. "The culture surrounding the team is such that they always want to win, and motivating them is no problem at all." Auckland City's players aren't full-time professionals and many have taken annual leave to compete in the Club World Cup, where they face what coach Paul Posa calls "the toughest group". New Zealand's champions, fresh from winning the OFC Champions League, will face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors in Group C of the revamped tournament, which starts at various US venues on Saturday, and Posa acknowledged their uphill battle. "It's quite possibly the toughest group we could have drawn," said Posa, who guided them to fifth place in the old Club World Cup in 2009. "We have two traditional European powerhouses in Bayern Munich and Benfica, and Boca Juniors, who are also capable of going all the way. "We have competed in many of the previous versions of the CWC competition, which has given us a broad range of experience allowing us to punch above our weight in the past. Our goals are to be prepared, and compete, to the best of our ability.'' Auckland enter the 32-team tournament months after claiming their 13th Oceania title and fourth in succession. Despite continental success, football remains a part-time commitment for the squad. "All of the players have other jobs alongside their football commitments," Posa said. "However, they have an extraordinary dedication to their football outside of their working hours. "Players have had to take annual leave from their jobs. Indeed, some of the players were unable to take time to attend both the OFC Champions League competition and the Club World Cup." The mid-June to mid-July tournament timing means it falls during Auckland's season rather than after it, as the previous version of the competition did. "The challenge of having the CWC fall in the middle of the season has been ensuring that players are in top form at the right times. However, I believe we're on track to achieve this," Posa said. Serving as caretaker coach for Albert Riera, who's away for family reasons, Posa previously managed Auckland from 2008-10. In the 2009 Club World Cup, they defeated the UAE's Shabab Al Ahli and DR Congo's TP Mazembe to finish fifth. The 63-year-old acknowledged how difficult it would be to repeat his 2009 success. "It's nice to dream we could be that competitive again. However, we're realistic about the challenge," he said. While temporary, Posa has maintained Auckland's established playing style. "It has not been difficult to maintain a playing philosophy that has evolved at Auckland City over many years,'' he said. "Of course, every coach puts their own fingerprint on a team.'' This stability underpins Auckland's continued success. "This comes down to building on experience gained in previous competitions, and a consistent focus on being well-organised and prepared, both on and off the pitch," Posa said. "The culture surrounding the team is such that they always want to win, and motivating them is no problem at all."
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Moses OUT of Origin II with shock injury
State of Origin: NSW Blues halves star Mitch Moses has been ruled out of Game 2 State of Origin with a calf strain.
