The signing will enhance Lawn Bowls PNG development and enable their elite bowlers to take advantage of the Foundation’s high performance unit.

The Lawn Bowls federation have thus aligned themselves with 24 other PNG sports federations that have existing MoU’s with the Foundation, including badminton, boxing, judo, rugby union, squash and volleyball.

The signing was made between the PNG Sports Foundation chief executive Peter Tsiamalili Jnr and Lawn Bowls PNG deputy chief executive operations Andy Agovaua, the PNG News-Courier reports.

Tsiamalili Jnr admitted he was pleased that Lawn Bowls PNG has now joined 24 other sports in taking advantage of this particular service as it will contribute and support their development strategies going forward to achieving the desired outcomes.

He commented: "I must congratulate Bowls PNG as it shows how serious they are in the preparation of their elite athletes."

Tsiamalili Jnr added:  "In fact they have already set the benchmark by winning the first Commonwealth [Games] gold medal during the 1990 Games in Auckland by Geua Tau.

"These small steps taken now ensure the code of lawn bowls will go a long way and I’m further pleased from my observations to see that Lawn Bowls PNG are one of those sports that is encouraging the younger generation to ensure its longevity.

"I acknowledge this growth by Bowls PNG President Kevin Kautu and his management team."

Tsiamalili Jnr added that the MoU is all about developing the complete athlete: "It is in fact two-fold as it also entails a pathway for individual athletes to life after sports through education with an agreement with the IEA College of TAFE in Port Moresby to pursue whatever field they have on offer as something to fall back on."

On behalf of Lawn Bowls PNG, Agovaua said they looked forward to a fruitful partnership in what would be a boost to their development programmes.