Nandex storms into Wewak

By CYRIL GARE

ST MARY'S Wirui Primary seventh grader, 14 year old Cyril Bolox was very disappointed that his school was unable to accommodate a visit for seven times world champion kick boxer Stanley 'head hunter' Nandex on Monday.

By force, his dad had to catch up with Nandex at Windjaamer beach motel at a dinner hosted by official sponsor, Joe Gabut in conjunction with Kurakum Lodge Wewak to satisfy his long-waiting wish - to meet Stanley Nandex in person.

Nandex met the young man, signed his autograph and posed for a photograph with him before flying out of Wewak early Tuesday morning. Bolox plans to produce a portrait of the photograph. 

The head hunter flew into Wewak late Sunday afternoon following an invitation by East Sepik Kick Boxing Association. He officially launched the association on Monday paving the way for Wewak to start preparations for the Momase Kick Boxing title fights in June which it will host.

Coordinator and PNG Games kick boxing gold medalist, Mark Sai said some 500 fighters from the region and country will attend and Wewak will need around K100,000 to play host.

To much delight and excitement, Kreer primary was the only lucky school in town to have the kick boxing sensation visited where he addressed staff and students on anti social behavior. He shared his life story after having dropped out of grade six at Sembirigi in Southern highlands where he originates.

"You can be champions too not just in sports but in everything that you want to do in life. But you must be disciplined, respect others, and stay away from drugs, home brew, alcohol, smoking, HIV AIDS and other anti social behavior if you really want to be a champion like me...," Nandex told students.

Official sponsor and promoter, Joe Gabut expressed grave concern on break down in social values resulting in escalating social problems in East Sepik and the country and urged parents to be more involved with their children.

"I have been supporting sports and kick boxing is one code that I feel I should support because it instills high level of discipline and change mind sets of our young people to become positive contributors to nation building," Gabut said.

Led by two singsing groups from Wewak islands, Nandex arrived in Wewak to a rousing fanfare where he addressed a crowd at the airport and again as late as 7:30 pm at Kurakum Lodge Wewak where he was accommodated. Sepik Music School brass band ushered him to awaiting singsing groups, and the SDA Church choir sang a special welcome note before the official cutting of ribbon at Kaindi YC hall on Monday morning by the champion fighter.

There Nandex officially congratulated the Team Sepik kick boxing squad for bagging five gold medals and topping the PNG Games in that respect. He also announced the selection of three Papua New Guinean fighters on scholarship to Australia in April for three months, one of whom was Sepik's very own, Mark Sai of Kadowar island.

East Sepik will send a delegation to Chimbu in March for the National Titles.
From the national titles, Mr. Nandex said PNG will send 15 fighters to Spain in November to compete for professional boxing.

Nandex flew out of Wewak early Tuesday morning to Port Moresby where he was expected to sign a new job contract with Exxon Mobil, developers of the LNG project this week.

He resigned from professional kick boxing this year sighting "no right and suitable candidate in my division to contest the belt I am currently holding..." as the primary reason. At time of resignation, Nandex have fought 49 professional fights with five losses and 44 wins. He successfully defended his world title seven times the latest being a 18 seconds TKO world record.