Franchise welcomes new board members K92 Mining Limited has come on board as one of the minor sponsors of the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis franchise with a bumper K350,000 sponsorship for the 2025-2026 Digicel EXXONMobil Cup seasons. From that sponsorship, an initial K150,000 was presented to the franchise, reaffirming its commitment to grassroots rugby league and community development in the Eastern Highlands province. The K92 Mining Ltd management, through the general manager for community affairs and external relations, Stanley Komunt and superintendent for field projects, Marcus Bai, presented a dummy cheque of K150,000 on Sunday to the Lahanis franchise owner Simon Sia at the National Sports Institute in Goroka. This was during the round two match between the Lahanis and the Mendi Muruks. Komunt announced that K92 Mining will continue the support to the club with K200,000 next year. The sponsorship underscores K92 Mining’s commitment to community development in the province. Under this sponsorship agreement, the funds will be directed to supporting the club’s men’s, women’s and U19s teams. This financial backing will assist in meeting essential operational needs including logistics, equipment, trainings and welfare support for players across all levels. The statement also announced that Bai will work closely in providing technical support in developing the upcoming talents in rugby league as part of the community development. Bai will dedicate up to 10 days per roster cycle from his work at the Kainantu Office to engage directly with the Lahanis Bai’s role will involve technical support, mentoring, and on-field support to the coaching team—particularly aimed at young talent transitioning from local leagues. All costs associated with Bai’s involvement will be fully covered by K92 Mining. According to the statement, Mr Bai currently oversees more than K200,000 in community sport sponsorships on behalf of K92 Mining, supporting a range of sporting codes in Kainantu, with rugby league playing a central role in youth development and community cohesion and the Lahanis sponsorship underscores K92 Mining’s broader commitment to community engagement, youth empowerment, and the promotion of health and wellbeing through sport. The support to the youth and community empowerment through sports marks K92 Mining acknowledging rugby league that serves as a vital platform that brings people together, fosters discipline, and provides pathways for talented young athletes throughout the region. “We are especially proud that our support may contribute, even in a small way, to the greater PNG NRL Bid pathway and the national sporting aspirations of Papua New Guinea,” said K92 Mining CEO, John Lewins. “K92 Mining extends its best wishes to the Bintagor Goroka Lahanis as they prepare for the upcoming season and looks forward to a successful partnership in 2025 and 2026,” Lewins added. Meanwhile, the Lahanis franchise has new members to its board. The make-up of the board includes PNG Medical Research Institute director Professor William Pomat, K92 Mining Limited superintendent for field projects Marcus Bai and Chapman Namaro, first secretary to the Minister for Higher Education, Research Science and Technology and Sports, Kinoka Feo.