Cricket Papua New Guinea (CPNG) has officially commenced the second phase of its 2026 Regional Cricket Managers (RCM) conference. This event is being held in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.

CPNG’s conference facilitators included Operations manager Papua Dikana, who served as the Conference Lead. The team also comprised Special Projects Manager Tony Healy. Additionally, ICC Data & Reporting Officer Helai Willie was part of the group.

The team flew to Goroka to facilitate the two-day conference which began today and will conclude tomorrow at the National Sports Institute.

Managers from the Highlands and Momase regions were in Goroka. They represented Jiwaka, Southern Highlands (SHP), Western Highlands (WHP), Eastern Highlands (EHP), Madang, and Morobe.

Dikana said the conference is a critical platform for reflection and future planning.

“The CPNG Regional Conference is an opportunity to bring in our Regional Cricket Coordinators to feedback, review and plan ahead the next 12 – 24 months and beyond.

“The Regional officers are doing a brilliant job out in the regions spreading the game at grass roots level.”

“We are committed to ensuring the PNG population is loving the game of cricket and we are passionate to inspire the next generation of cricketers to drive the game forward both domestically and internationally,” he added.

The second phase follows after a successful first phase completion in Port Moresby last month (Feb 16-17) at Amini Park’s Cricket Boardroom.

The first phase included managers from South and New Guinea Islands region.

The conference focuses on strengthening alignment across Cricket PNG’s three operational pillars. These pillars are Administration, Game Development and High Performance. It also aims to reinforce reporting systems, participation targets and budgeting frameworks for 2026.

CPNG is targeting the involvement of over 150,000 children in schools and communities in 2026. They aim to build on the 90,000 children reached in 2025 through structured game development programs.

The Goroka conference plays a critical role. It ensures the Highlands and Momase regions are strategically aligned. This alignment contributes to achieving these national targets.

Key focus areas for the two-day session include domestic cricket operations and game development planning.

Other areas are ICC data census and reporting, high performance pathways, and umpire and coach education. Special projects implementation and 2026 budgeting and resource allocation are also included.