Kerema athletes grab 45 medals

The Kerema athletes pose for a group picture at the Sir John Guise Stadium after the conclusion of the NCD Athletics Championships *(Image: NBC News)*

Kerema Amateur Athletics Club has set a benchmark for its junior sports development program after securing 44 medals at the 2026 NCD Athletics Championships in Port Moresby.

The club field a 48-member squad comprising 23 female and 25 male athletes aged between 13 and 24 at the Sir John Guise Stadium outdoor track.

Club chairperson Ipi Ori said the squad featured student-athletes selected from several primary schools across Kerema District, including Ila Karaeta, Sikalu, Meii-Uaripi, Epo-Uriri, Murua, Uamai, Karama, and Karea.

“We were invited by the NCD Athletics Association to bring our students over to compete and showcase their raw talents,” Ori said.

The team competed across the under-14, U16, U18, and open divisions in both track and field events, collecting 16 gold, 19 silver, and 10 bronze medals.

Individual gold medalists included Shekinah Orere, Gabriela Daniel, Jessica Toara, Anna Kapai, Andrew Joe, Paul Ali, Mathwen Fobby, Samuel Maiyo, Alex Peter, Epari Kake, Lilly Meivila, Ruth Ori, and Eddie Kepi.

Ori acknowledged the local support that made the trip possible, thanking Kerema MP Thomas Opa, Taure-Lakekamu LLG president Herbert Pokana, Central Kerema LLG president Jim Pokara, and Mark Orisuru Avai and his family.