Governor Chan commits K50,000 to PNG Kickboxing Federation
- Jonah KEI
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
New Ireland Governor, the Honorable Byron Chan, announced a K50,000 funding allocation to the Papua New Guinea Kickboxing Federation (PNGKBF) after the conclusion of the “Last Man Standing” Quarterfinals on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at Port Moresby’s Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Center.
Stepping in for Prime Minister James Marape, Hon. Chan congratulated the fighters for putting on the show and commended the PNG Kickboxing Federation under President Stanley Nandex’s leadership on delivering a competitive tournament.
Hon. Chan revealed that the New Ireland Provincial Government would support the “Last Man Standing” Semifinals, committing K50,000 to the penultimate event scheduled in August this year.
“We have inaugurated the New Ireland Mixed Martial Arts Association in Kavieng and Namatanai, but we have not linked up with kickboxing. Hence, we have committed K50,000 to include New Ireland in next year’s event,” Hon. Chan said.
“We are linked with taekwondo, karate, and kungfu in the province. I am initiating this to ensure that our girls and boys in New Ireland can participate in this sort of tournament next year and onwards.”
The New Ireland Governor admitted that there would be challenges in introducing kickboxing to the province, but has trust and confidence in the sports administrators to prepare the fighters for upcoming events.
Hon. Chan acknowledged the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for its platinum sponsorship in the tournament and thanked Prime Minister James Marape’s strong support. He also commended President Stanley Nandex and his executive team for delivering a successful “Last Man Standing” Quarterfinals event.
The PNG Kickboxing Federation (PNGKBF) President, Stanley “The Headhunter” Nandex, thanked Governor Chan and the New Ireland Provincial Government for their financial support in the Semifinals event in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
Governor Byron Chan has a background in martial arts, including taekwondo, karate, and kungfu. He shared the ring with ‘The Headhunter’ in the 1990s, both as teammates and opponents, before entering politics in 2002.