Trukai backs PNGOC with K500,000

Trukai Industries Limited presented a K500,000 cheque to the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) today (November 3rd) at the CHM Building Corporate office in Gordons, Port Moresby.

The 2026 Trukai Fun Run T-shirt auctions raised more than K550,000 collectively across two regional corporate auction events, including Port Moresby and Lae, to support Team PNG.

Port Moresby raised approximately K402,000 by selling 20,100 t-shirts to support 74 schools. The top bidder of the night was the Sir Brian Bell Foundation.

Lae Auction raised K150,000 through the business community and corporate partners at the Lae International Hotel.

Additionally, individual t-shirts were sold directly to the general public across local outlets for K15 each (later discounted to K10) to raise further community-driven funds. 

All proceeds from the 2026 t-shirt campaign funded Team PNG athletes for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.

The remaining balance will support Team PNG for their upcoming international tournaments, including the 2027 Pacific Games and Commonwealth Youth Games. 

Trukai Industries Limited Sales & Marketing Manager, Heral Buksh, said Papua New Guinea’s number one producing rice company is pleased to support the PNGOC.  

“It is a great pleasure to be here today as we continue our long-standing partnership with the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee,” Mr. Buksh read in a statement.  

“Trukai Industries is proud to present a contribution of K500,000 to PNGOC. This contribution reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting PNG athletes and their participation in international sporting events.

“As a PNG business, we recognize the importance of supporting our athletes to represent PNG on the international stage. 

“This contribution helps the PNGOC to facilitate the athletes' participation in the international tournaments and in line with the official games calendar. 

“Supporting sports and developing athletes can not be achieved by one organization; it requires collaboration between sporting federations, the private sector, and other stakeholders. 

“At Trukai, we believe long-term partnerships, such as ours with PNGOC, play an important role in supporting the committee and delivering its commitments to our athletes.”

Mr. Buksh emphasized the endearing partnership between the two organizations spanning two-plus decades. 

“This occasion is particularly meaningful because our relationship with PNGOC is not a new one,” he said.  

“Trukai has proudly supported the PNGOC for the last 25 years. This demonstrates the important role we play in sustained partnership and our commitment to PNG sports. 

“Twenty-five years of partnership is something we are proud of. It reflects not only Trukai’s commitment to PNGOC but also the value we play in contributing to the development of sports in PNG.” 

He added: "To PNGOC, thank you for the work you continue to do to support our athletes and Papua New Guineans. 

“Most importantly, we commend our athletes who continue to represent our country with pride on the international stage. 

“We congratulate you and wish you every success as you continue to carry the PNG flag on the international stage. 

“Trukai looks forward to continuing our partnership with PNGOC and supporting PNG’s sporting aspirations.”

Mr. Buksh expressed Trukai Industries Limited's gratitude to the business houses that have supported the auctions in Lae and Port Moresby this year.  

“On this occasion, we would also like to acknowledge and thank our top bidders and supporters who partnered with us throughout the year,” he said.  

“In Port Moresby, I would like to acknowledge the Brian Bell Foundation, IBSU, Air Niugini, and KPHL. In Lae, I would like to recognize Papindo, Raumai 18, and Theodist. 

“These were our top bidders during the auctions. These were the companies that came forward and got the big bidding, and that’s how we were able to sell a lot of Fun Run T-shirts, and from their contributions, we are now contributing back to the PNGOC.” 

PNGOC Senior Vice President George Shao sincerely thanked Trukai Industries for their support during a difficult financial year. 

“Since 2000, Trukai Industries has been supporting the PNG Olympic Committee, and we look forward to Trukai’s continued support in the next 25 years,” Mr. Shao said.

“This is a timely contribution from Trukai to PNGOC. We are facing funding constraints at the moment, so we thank Trukai for its support.”

Mr. Shao also appealed to the government and other business houses for their support towards the PNG Olympic Committee. 

PNG Olympic Committee Secretary General Desmond Kaviagu echoed similar sentiments shared by Mr. Shao and thanked Trukai Industries for their unwavering support. 

Trukai Industries Limited, which has been supporting the PNG Olympic Committee as a platinum sponsor since 2000, continued its support of the country’s international sporting body.