The PNGOC wants to ensure that children understand the importance of maintaining the environment ©Getty Images

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has urged children to take care of their coastlines as a part of an initiative aimed at improving the environment.

The Love Your Coast scheme, which is delivered through the wider Honesty, Excellence, Respect and Openness (HERO) programme and recently conducted through the Kicks 4 Kokoda (K4K) initiative, is designed to increase awareness for maintaining clean and sustainable coastlines.

Athletes from Papua New Guinea educated children at an event in Buna, a village in Oro Province, about the importance of a safe environment.

Powerlifting’s Linda Pulsan, boxing’s Raphaela Baki, football’s Basil Joffari and Roland Bala, karate’s Dennis Kopman, basketball’s Dia Muri and Para athletics’ Steven Abraham were among the HERO athletes to lead the programme.

Several Papua New Guinea athletes delivered a session on maintaining coastlines to children ©PNGOC/Facebook
Several Papua New Guinea athletes delivered a session on maintaining coastlines to children ©PNGOC/Facebook

The overall objective of the K4K is to empower young people to make better health and lifestyle choices through sport.

K4K is a partnership between The Kokoda Track Foundation, Grassroots Soccer and the PNGOC.

It is also supported by Team Up, a programme organised by the Australian Government.