Arawa Athletics Club made its maiden appearance in the Inaugural NCD-Central Athletics Championships

From the pristine beaches of Bougainville to the Nation’s Capital, three athletes representing the Arawa Athletics Club made their maiden trip by flying 850 kilometers to take part in the inaugural NCD-Central Athletics Championships from 25-26 October 2025, at Sir John Guise Stadium. 

The three runners, who proudly represented Arawa Secondary School, did not travel to Port Moresby to make up the numbers. They came with a plan and accomplished their goal, winning the 3,000m and 1,500m distance running, respectively.

Arawa Secondary School was the only outside team to compete against the Port Moresby-based teams, including Central, where they performed outstandingly, claiming the top honors and stealing the spotlight. 

Under the mentorship of former PNG 'Sprint King', Peter Pulu, whose 30-year record was broken by Pais Wisil this year, the three sprinters learned a lot from the veteran and delivered exceptional performance on the track. 

Mr. Pulu expressed satisfaction with the performance of the three runners in the two-day event, mentioning that though it was their first time to compete at a higher-level tournament against the best athletes, the trio did not disappoint.

“These are the raw talents from the village. They are very talented but have never been exposed to bigger competitions like this. I’m really happy to create a pathway and give them the exposure,” Pulu said.

“They did not come here to prove that they are the best. They came here to showcase their skills and perform beyond expectations. Myself, including their families, and Bougainville are proud of them.” 

Coach Pulu acknowledged the Bougainville Regional Member and Minister for Internal Security, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, and South Bougainville Member, Hon. Jimmy Miringtoro, for their financial backing that made the trip possible, including Arawa Secondary School’s support.  

He also thanked the PNG High-Performance team for guiding the three athletes and preparing them for the championships, which was an eye-opening experience. He further thanked the NCD-Central Organizing Committee for delivering a successful tournament.  

With Mr. Pulu at the helm, team Bougainville now shifts its focus to the upcoming National Athletics Championships scheduled for December this year at the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.