Minister Vave Jnr pays courtesy call on PNG Minister of Sports

The Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Isikeli Vave Jnr and delegation paid a courtesy call on the Papua New Guinea Minister for Sports and Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology, Hon. Feo Kinoka in Port Moresby on Thursday 7th November 2025.

Minister Vave leads the Solomon Islands delegation to the MSG Sports Officials and Ministerial Meetings that will commence next week, during the margins of the 4^th Edition of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Minister’s Cup football Tournament.

During their meeting, the two Ministers discussed the importance of investing in national sports institute and the possibilities it can produce in shaping future careers for high performance athletes.

The PNG Sports Minister invited Hon. Vave to visit their Sports Institute and to explore and experience the potentials it established.

The two Ministers further discussed the significance of Sports Tourism and the benefits it can bring for the two countries, recognizing the challenges and costs associated with its operations.

The ability to build capacity on appropriate business modeling of sports tourism, is an aspect that MSG countries can explore together.  MSG countries signed the MOU on Sports Cooperation last year in Honiara, during the 3^rd edition of the MSG PM’s Cup, and such important initiatives can be factored under this cooperation.

Hon. Vave recognized and acknowledged PNG’s tireless efforts in preparing to host the upcoming 4th Edition of the MSG PM’s Cup and the MSG Sports Officials Meetings and its Ministerial Segment.

 The government of PNG is hosting this event in line with its 50th Independence Anniversary this year.

The upcoming tournament will feature both the national men’s and women’s soccer teams from PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia competing for the MSG football crown.

– OPMC

PNG Minister of Sports Hon. Feo Kinoka (3^rd from right) and MHA Minister Hon. Isikeli Vave Jnr (4^th from right) and senior officials from PNG and Solomon Islands during a dinner hosted by the PNG Sports Minister, Thursday evening.