BSP, a finalist in the prestigious SP Sports Awards

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) is one of three finalists in the prestigious SP Sports Awards’ new award category - “Stan Joyce Award,” recognizing corporate businesses who contribute to the development of sports in PNG in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Acknowledging this recognition, BSP Head of Marketing & PR, Gorethy Semi, said that the bank was proud to be recognized for its support to sports in PNG. “In 2019 alone, BSP PNG’s Corporate Social Responsibility contribution was K4.2m, which covered donations, community projects and sponsorships. The bank’s sponsorships spend was K2.1m, of which over K970,000 was direct sponsorship to sports and over K220,000 was through sports-related community projects. These sports related projects included renovation of basketball and volleyball courts, renovation of grand stands and sporting venues in respective communities around the country.”

“At BSP, we pride ourselves with our core value of ‘Community’ and have always been a great supporter of sports in the communities that we operate in. In 2019 BSP supported sports such as Cricket PNG through the BSP Kriket School Program, Rugby League’s Kimbe Cutters, PNG Swimming Inc, PNG Surfing, PNG Volleyball, PNG Snooker & Billiards. We also supported other sports such as PNG Squash & Tennis, respective Golf events and PNG Soccer.”

Ms Semi added: “due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and gathering restrictions associated with controlled measures, a number of sporting events that BSP would normally assist with were not held, therefore BSP’s support was less than 2019. Our sports contribution was over K600,000 in 2020.

The pandemic however didn’t stop us from delivering our annual community projects focused on helping PNG against the pandemic, we handed over 105 wash stations, we equipped 23 hospitals with much needed equipment and PPE and equipped 23 schools with computers and other support to the value of over K1.4m.”

When asked about BSP’s plans for future contributions to sports in light of Covid-19, Ms Semi said that BSP is a proud PNG brand and we would be happy to continue to support to respective sports provided all requirements are met in terms of BSP’s Sponsorship Guidelines including review of sponsorship agreements / reports and most of all adhering to the Niupela Pasin measures that are set by the government. “As a responsible corporate citizen, we need to ensure sporting bodies are meeting respective requirements for the safety of players and supporters.”

BSP is also proud that most of the sports it has supported over the years have also been recognized in the prestigious SP Sports Awards. “We commend PNG Baramundis for being selected as a finalist in the ‘Team of the Year’ award. Most of these PNG Baramundis are products of the BSP School Kriket Program, an international award winning program that BSP has supported for more than 10 years.”

BSP commended the organizing committee of the SP Sports Awards for this new category ‘Stan Joyce Award.’ “The award, in recognition of companies’ support to sports is a good initiative and we hope other companies will also be recognized for their support to sports in PNG as sports plays an integral part of social and economic development in any country.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of BSP to thank the other support sponsors of BSP’s sponsored sports for their support as well – the consolidated support, big or small, makes alot of difference and contributes to the overall delivery and success of any sporting events and competitions.”