The regional youth game concept continues to gain momentum since its inception last year.

Director General for National Youth Development Authority, Joe Itaki said the sporting concept was run by a tripartite arrangement ( NYDA, DFCDR and PNG Sports Foundation) with the ultimate aim to bring sporting codes down to the local level governments (LLGs).

“Youths at the village level need to be engaged in sports and keep them occupied at their active age. If we don’t occupy their time with a viable activity, they will always resort to crime; hence, the RYG concept aspires to create better pathways for youths via sports starting at the LLG level,” said Mr Itaki.

The inaugural Southern Regional Youth Games will commence in April followed by NGI in September, he said.

Launching it this week in Kokopo, East New Britain, Kokopo MP, Emil Tammur pledged to support his local youths partake in sports.

Momase and Highlands regions, Mr Itaki said, will be covered towards the end of the year.