The leading employment agency will be providing in-kind support to the PNGOC and Team PNG in the areas of its existing service specialisations of visa, national identification, and passport processing.

It will also act as consultant to the organisation on its existing HR policies, recruitment, athlete job readiness preparation and assisting athletes to seek traineeships and employment opportunities.

The announcement marked the start of the PNGOC’s efforts to gain local business support as it prepares to send a large contingent of athletes and officials to the 2023 Solomon Islands Pacific Games in Honiara from November 19 to December 2.

Speaking at the November 18 signing Auvita Rapilla, secretary general of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee, said: “We are proud to engage with such a distinguished service provider in Vanguard International who shares similar values and characteristics to our organisation and athletes.

“We have an obligation to cater for our athlete’s welfare by giving them opportunities to prepare them for a life after sports.

“Vanguard’s sponsorship and services will help upskill our athletes and link them with employers who want to connect and hire elite athletes in addition to providing specialist services to the organisation”.

Vanguard International’s chief executive Michael Elton said: “Vanguard International signing on with the PNGOC is our opportunity to give back to the community through our specialised services and community initiative programme”.

Over the duration of the sponsorship period, Vanguard International will serve as a Corporate Partner of the PNGOC and Team PNG with marketing, branded content and digital advertising opportunities.