Taekwondo President calls for urgent action on sports governance
President of PNG Taekwondo, John Cholai, has voiced serious concerns over the state of sports administration in the country following reports of corruption allegations against the PNG Sports Foundation.
Cholai was responding to a Post-Courier front-page article published on Friday, 15 August, headlined “Sports Corruption”.
He said the revelation from the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] investigations risk damaging the image of sport in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the eyes of sponsors and the public.
“Normally, positive sporting stories make the headlines, but these reports do not reflect the image we want to portray.
“On behalf of the National Federations, who play a significant role in this country, we are concerned about these allegations,” Cholai said.
While acknowledging ICAC’s ongoing investigation, Cholai refrained from commenting on the details, instead raising deeper concerns about the lack of accountability within the PNG Sports Foundation.
He pointed out that PNGSF has operated without a functioning board for the past five years, leaving chief executive officers to run the organization without proper oversight.
“It is the responsibility of the Sports Minister to appoint a board, but despite having four different ministers over the years, this has not been done.
“The Prime Minister, as the chief CEO of the country, should now intervene,” Cholai said.
Cholai also criticized the PNG Sports Foundation’s limited engagement with National Federations in budget planning, claiming that submissions have largely excluded funding for sports development.
“We are not even involved in the budget process. Their submissions mostly cover salaries, operations, and facility maintenance, but nothing significant for National Federations,” he said.
“That is why we struggle every Pacific Games to maintain our status as a leading sporting nation in the region.”
He said government funding for international participation often arrives days before departure, placing athletes and officials under pressure.
Cholai further questioned the accountability structures of sports governance in PNG, even suggesting the possible formation of a separate organization comprising only National Federations to properly represent their concerns.
“PNG Sports Foundation was established because of the NFs, and PNGOC cannot function without us. Our concerns must be taken seriously,” he said.
Cholai called for immediate reforms to restore trust, strengthen accountability, and ensure sustainable development for sport in Papua New Guinea.