2026 SP SPORTS AWARDS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
BY RAYLEEN WANJIMAN
THE 2026 SP Sports Awards was officially launched today at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.
The launch was attended by SP Brewery Corporate Affairs Manager Mr. John Nikare, Secretary General of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee Mr. Desmond Kaviagu, and Director of Sports Operations and Development from the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation Mr. Geoffrey Gideon, along with sponsors, sporting federations and members of the media.
Mr. Nilkare when officially launching the 34th SP Sports Awards under the theme Celebrating Diversity, Honoring Unity, and Inspiring Dreams, said sport in Papua New Guinea is more than competition as it reflects the nation’s rich cultures and unites people through shared pride and purpose.
He acknowledged the longstanding partnership between SP Brewery, the PNG Olympic Committee and the PNG Sports Foundation in establishing the awards platform 34 years ago to recognize and celebrate excellence in sport.
The SP Sports Awards welcome nominations for outstanding athletes in recognition of their achievements in both international and domestic competitions throughout 2025, across 12 categories.
Nominations can be submitted through the online nomination portal, via mail, 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 award 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 Ltd – Sports Official of the Year
- Trukai Industries Ltd – Sports Media of the Year
- Sports Photo of the Year
- People’s Choice Award. PNG Olympic Committee Secretary General, Desmond Kaviagu said, “The 2026 SP Sports Awards theme, ‘Celebrating Diversity, Honoring Unity and Inspiring Dreams,’ captures the true spirit of sports in Papua New Guinea. Through sport, we celebrate diversity, the extraordinary
Mr Nilkare, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting sport in Papua New Guinea and outlined the
nomination process.
“SP Brewery has long been a proud supporter of sport because we see its unique ability to bring people together. Guided by the vision of unity and inspiration, SP Brewery joined forces with the PNG Olympic Committee and the PNG Sports Foundation 34 years ago to create a platform dedicated to recognising and celebrating outstanding athletes, teams, sports
officials.” said Mr. Nilkare.
PNG Sports Foundation Director Sports Operations & Development, Geoffrey Gideon, spoke about the impact of sports in the community.
“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 sport a force for good,” said Mr. Gideon.
Since its inception in 1992, the SP Sports Awards has remained a significant platform in Papua
New Guinea, recognising sporting excellence and inspiring athletes to reach new heights.
