Children aged six to twelve were welcomed to the festival event with an opening fruit salad dance by PNGFA technical director Taku Niebo.
They then shared poems and drawings of their favourite fruits which encourages participants to be health concious and make healthy food choices.
Children also learned about respect and working together through short football sessions which promote gender equality – a key message the OFC Just Play Programme delivers.
Australian High Commission Counsellor Susan Fergusson was present at the event and says she is impressed with the impact the programme is having.
“I’m pleased with the outcomes the Just Play Programme continues to have on youth, encouraging positive behavious changes at an early age,” she says.
The Just Play Programme is a sport for development programme designed and monitored by the OFC Social Responsibility department, in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission, Football Federation Australia, UEFA and UNICEF.
The programme has four objectives, to increase healthy lifestyle choices and reduce the risks factors associated wtih NCDs, to promote gender equality, to increase opportunities for persons with special needs, encourage social inclusion and promote a change of perceptions towards people with special needs in the wider community and to promote child protection.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

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