Historic RL launch set

By PETER PUSAL
RUGBY league in the Motuan village of Boera outside Port Moresby is set to have its own affiliated competition with PNG Rugby Football League with its official launching tomorrow at Boera.
This will put the Boera RL on equal footing with other affiliated members nationwide and give players opportunities for direct selection into representative teams.
The idea to affiliate with the national rugby league body is the brainchild of PNGRFL referees boss and Boera resident Guma Opi. Boera players, clubs and officials will all register under the PNGRFL making the village-based comp nationally sanctioned.
In what will be an historic event for the village, Opi has thrown his support behind the launching with a K10,000 sponsorship of the Apau Cup and its four participating clubs: Siale Panthers, Roga Knights, Ganea Tigers and Lagatoi Warriors with each club fielding teams in three grades ñ A, U/19 and U/16.
Invited guests for the launching include Finance Minister Patrick Pruaitch and Minister responsible for Sports Dame Carol Kidu as well as Port Moresby and PNG Rugby League representatives and personalities.
The opening round of matches is scheduled to take place after the official launching.