SP Sports Awards Announced 2025 Finalists

The SP Sports Awards announced its thirty-six finalists for the annual prestigious award yesterday (May 21st, 2025), at Sir John Guise Stadium Conference Room in Port Moresby.

Established in 1992, the SP Sports Awards has continually recognized Papua New Guinea’s sports men and women, including administrators and technical officials, for their contributions in sporting codes across the country. 

The South Pacific Brewery, in partnership with the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF), founded the SP Sports Awards in 1992, spanning 33 years in giving prominence and recognition to PNG’s athletes, administrators and technical officials. 

This year’s theme for the 33rd SP Sports Awards is “Legends of Sports: fifty-years of Excellence and Inspiration”, which features thirty-six finalists in thirteen categories to honor their incredible achievements. 

Chairman of the SP Sports Awards Selection Panel, Warwick Vele, highlighted the significance of the prestigious event, explaining the selection criteria in nominating the finalists.

“This year, we were pleased to see a strong level of interest and participation in the nomination process,” Vele stated.

“A total of 210 nominations were received across all categories - 135 submitted online and 60 submitted in hard copy - with 15 of those hard copy nominations received without supporting documents. Please note that those 15 were included in the overall total.

“While this is slightly fewer than what we received last year, it nonetheless reflects continued public trust in the SP Sports Awards as a meaningful platform to acknowledge excellence in sports.

“It also reminds us that quality always comes first just as much as quantity, and the pride Papua New Guineans take in celebrating their sporting achievements remains as strong as ever.” 

He emphasized that the vetting and selection process were done vigorously and carefully, ensuring that the finalists were shortlisted on merit bases and transparently.

“We followed a fair and transparent process guided by the strict criteria set out for each award category,” Vele said.

“And so, it gives me great pleasure to officially announce the finalists for the 2025 SP Sports Awards.”

The highlight of the voting process is that the Male Athlete of the Year category received the highest number of nominations across all categories, recording a total of 49 nominations - 44 submitted online and 5 in hard copy - reflecting the vast talent and competition among the male athletes.

Following are the 36 finalists for the 13 sporting categories:

• Male Athlete of the Year 

Morea Baru - Weightlifting 

Josh Tarere - Swimming

Alvin Komolong - Soccer

• Female Athlete of the Year

Leonie Beu - Athletics

Thema Mea Toua - Weightlifting

Adrine Monagi - Athletics

• Carbine Club: Team of the Year

PNG Mosquitoes - AFL

PNG Kurakums - AFL

PNG Lewas - Cricket

• Brands Pacific: National Performance of the Year

Valley Hunters - Rugby Union (7s)

Alotau Women’s 3x3 Basketball - Basketball

Irok Pirates - Rugby Union (7s)

• Community Sports Initiative 

Roland Muluyaru: Soccer Kick Out Home Brew - Soccer

Jason Lahui: Chess in the Hood - Chess

Special Olympics PNG - Multi-Sport

• Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners PNG: Junior Male Athlete of the Year

Gaba Frank - Cricket

River Jordan Hakena - Tennis

Allan Sevara - AFL

• Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners PNG: Junior Female Athlete of the Year

Timonaliz Alarcos Kriebisch - Squash

Colita Hakena - Tennis

Ani Geua Gavera - Weightlifting

• CPL: Para-Athlete of the Year

Manega Tapari - Badminton

Haoda Agari - Table Tennis

Regina Edwards - Athletics

• Trukai Industries Limited: Sports Official of the Year

Edward Kassman - Taekwondo

Victor Sarwom - Rugby League

Nelson Stone - Athletics

• Trukai Industries Limited: Sports Media of the Year

Jamie Haro - Sunday Chronicle

Michael Philip - The National Newspaper

EMTV Sports Scene - EMTV Sports Scene

• Sports Photo of the Year

Lone Child - Tony Haro

Crossfit Rope - Sibona Kala

Denied Allyoop Basket - Brenda M Kariko

• Stan Joyce Awards

Pacific Industries Limited

ExxonMobil PNG 

Moni Plus Limited

The announcement of the finalists also marks the opening of the People’s Choice Award. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be selected through public voting using the SP Sports Awards SMS and WhatsApp voting platform. The more votes a finalist receives, the more chances of them winning. 

Candidates from the People’s Choice Award come under four finalists in the following categories:

• Male Athlete of the Year

• Female Athlete of the Year

• Team of the Year

• National Performance of the Year

Meanwhile, voting for the People’s Choice Award Category will close on May 30th and the 33rd SP Sports Awards will be held on June 14th at Crowne Hotel in Port Moresby. The SP Sports Awards night will be live-streamed on the SP Sports Awards Facebook Page and broadcast live on FM100 Facebook Page as well.