Stone Snubbed

Papua New Guinea’s former sprint legend, Nelson Stone, has expressed disappointment surrounding the annual SP Sports Awards' voting process and eventual selection of the winners after finishing runner-up for the thirteenth time.

He settled for the second spot in the Official of the Year category held on Saturday night, 30 May 2026, at the Crown Hotel in Port Moresby.

Stone has retired from a colorful career in athletics and established the Never Ever Stop Trying (NEST) program to empower youths, mothers, fathers, and people in all walks of life on how to live an active, purposeful, and healthy lifestyle.

He founded the NEST program in 2014, helping hundreds of people get into shape, guiding injured athletes through rehabilitation, and supporting local teams participating in sports, especially rugby league and athletics.

Although the coach or mentor has been actively involved in bettering people’s lives through sports and community initiatives, he was overlooked for the thirteenth time, raising eyebrows about the legitimacy and transparency of the voting process.

“It pains me, and I feel so down. Even winning the Sports Hall of Fame 2025 and contributing to PNG’s growth in sports, health, fitness, and community programs, my efforts can not be recognized,” he said.

“I have helped national athletes, inspired young lives, fixed the working class, normal people’s health and lives, and set up community initiatives to keep youths, women, and children occupied.

“I also created local SME opportunities through small marketing to sustain families and try to bridge the gap between unemployment and the workforce, using sports programs as business avenues.

“Also, through the NEST Program since 2014, without any sponsors or capital injection, passion, grit, determination, and an unwavering love for sports, health, and fitness drove me to help people.”

Despite being disappointed about the result, he remains hopeful about continuing to impact people’s lives and working hard to win the elusive award in the future.

“It is what it is, and I’ll take this runner-up again and move on. I have youths and people to inspire and give a second chance in life with the NEST program. Until then, congratulations to all the winners and runners-up,” Stone said.

“I look forward to a new challenge in 2027 and begin a new chapter. I will continue to serve the people. Even if I'm forever losing, I will always help.”

He concluded with this statement that is close to his heart: “Never Ever Stop Trying (NEST). I live by it and will die by it, no matter what.”

The following are Stone’s SP Sports Awards runner-ups from 1998 to 2026: 

1998: Runner-up - Junior Sportsman of the Year

2004: Runner-up - Sportsman of the Year

2009: Runner-up - Sportsman of the Year

2010: Runner-up - Sportsman of the Year

2011: Runner-up - Sportsman of the Year

2019: Runner-up - Community Sports Initiative 

2020: Runner-up - Sports Official of the Year

2021: Runner-up - Sports Official  of the Year

2022: Runner-up - Sports Official of the Year

2023: Runner-up - Sports Official of the Year 

2024: Runner-up - Sports Official of the Year

2025: Runner-up - Sports Official of the Year

2026: Runner-up - Sports Official of the Year

Nelson Stone originally started mentoring youths and cleaning up a rubbish dumping ground in Port Moresby’s Tokarara Suburb around 2013. The NEST program builds discipline, health, and character in the community through athletics and rugby league.