SP Sports Awards Launched
- Jonah KEI
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
The South Pacific (SP) Sports Awards officially launched its 34th edition of the annual event today (Tuesday, 24 February 2026), at the Sir John Guise Stadium Conference Room in Port Moresby.
South Pacific Brewery, in partnership with the PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF), founded the SP Sports Awards in 1992.
The event has recognized the contributions of PNG athletes, teams, administrators, and technical officials in the sporting landscape.
The theme for this year’s 34th SP Sports Awards is: “Celebrating Diversity, Honoring Unity, and Inspiring Dreams.” The awards feature 12 categories across athletes, teams, and officials.
The awards will honor and celebrate PNG’s outstanding athletes for their achievements in both domestic and international competitions throughout 2025, recognizing individuals who made a significant impact in their communities through sports last year.
Speaking at the launch, SP Brewery Corporate Affairs Manager, John Nilkare, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting sports in Papua New Guinea.
“SP Brewery has long been a proud supporter of sports because we see its unique ability to bring people together across villages, towns, and cities,” Mr. Nilkare said.
“Guided by the vision of unity and inspiration, SP Brewery joined forces with the PNG Olympic Committee and PNG Sports Foundation 34 years ago to create a platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating outstanding athletes, teams, and sports officials.”
Mr. Nilkare acknowledged the sponsors of the SP Sports Awards, whose support has been instrumental in hosting the prestigious sporting event for the last 34 years.
“I would like to thank our valued family of sponsors, Trukai Industries Ltd, Carbine Club, City Pharmacy Ltd, Brands Pacific, Crowne Hotel, Coca-Cola Europacific Ltd, Air Niugini, Kalang Advertising Ltd, Color Boys PNG, Next of Kin, and KPMG,” he expressed.
PNG Olympic Committee Secretary General, Desmond Kaviagu, highlighted the theme and touched on the significance of the SP Sports Awards.
“The 2026 SP Sports Awards theme, ’Celebrating Diversity, Honoring Unity, and Inspiring Dreams,’ captures the true spirit of sports in PNG,” Mr. Kaviagu stated.
“Through sports, we celebrate diversity, the extraordinary range of talent, cultures, and communities that make up this nation.
“Through sports, we honor unity, the way sport dissolves differences, strengthens national unity, and reminds us of who we are together.
“And through sports, we inspire dreams, especially for our young people, who need to see living proof that discipline, dedication, and self-belief can create real opportunity.”
PNG Sports Foundation Operations and Development Director Geoffrey Gideon spoke about the impact of sports in the communities across the country.
“Sports is a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and transformation. Let us continue to invest in our youth, empower our women, and uphold the values that make sports a force for good,” Mr. Gideon said.
Nominations can be submitted through the online nomination portal, via email, or by hand delivering entries to the PNG Olympic Committee office or SP Brewery offices in Port Moresby, Lae, Kokopo, and Goroka for the following categories:
Male Athlete of the Year
Female Athlete of the Year
Carbine Club - Team of the Year
Brands Pacific - National Performance of the Year
Community Sports Initiative
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PNG - Junior Male Athlete of the Year
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PNG - Junior Female Athlete of the Year
CPL - Para-Athlete of the Year
Trukai Industries Limited - Sports Official of the Year
Trukai Industries Limited - Sports Media of the Year
Sports Photo of the Year
People’s Choice Award
The nomination opens today (February 24th) and will close on Friday, April 17th. This year marks the fourth year of online nominations. The 34th SP Sports Awards will be held on 30 May 2026, at the Crowne Hotel in Downtown Port Moresby.
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