Father-daughter duo claim SP Sports Awards

Papua New Guinea’s veteran sports broadcaster Terry Longbut and his daughter Dorna won an award each in the 34th SP Sports Awards hosted on Saturday night, 30 May 2026, at the Crown Hotel in Port Moresby.

Terry secured the Sports Media of the Year Award, and Dorna claimed the Para-Athlete of the Year Award, with the Longbuts stealing the spotlight and achieving double celebrations for the family.

It was a proud and memorable moment for the Longbut family, with Dorna describing the feeling as “overwhelming” and dedicating the two awards to her family, particularly her late mum.  

“I wasn’t expecting both of us to win the SP Sports Awards tonight, but I’m happy we did it,” Dorna said.

“There are a lot of people to thank, especially people who have supported us since my mum passed away. Our family has been very supportive, so we dedicate these awards to them.” 

Receiving her dad’s award, who is currently in Sydney to undergo a one-week NRL media tour alongside other PNG sports reporters, Dorna praised Terry’s achievement.

“After all the years he has been in the PNG media industry, I’m very happy for him that he has finally received this award,” Dorna said.

“He has been the face of commentary in PNG for a very long time, so it’s a very proud moment for me as his daughter.”

Dorna also won last year’s SP Sports Awards Para-Athlete of the Year and looks forward to competing hard in the upcoming athletics events, both domestically and internationally.

In 2025, Terry anchored TVWan Sports News, providing consistent coverage across rugby league, athletics, and major sporting codes.

Mr. Longbut is one of Papua New Guinea’s leading sports commentators and senior journalists, widely recognized for his voice in rugby league and national sports coverage.

Known for his strong delivery and deep knowledge of sports, especially in rugby league, he remains a key figure in PNG sports broadcasting.

He is the main commentator in rugby league, covering the Hunters matches, the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup (men, women, and juniors), the Hostplus Cup, the Prime Minister’s 13, and the Pacific Championships.

The double recognition at the 34th SP Sports Awards signifies the Longbut family’s immense contributions to sports in Papua New Guinea.