Aussie aid welcomed
By HENRY MORABANG
THE Opposition and PNG Rugby Football League yesterday welcomed the K684,000 sports package committed by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during his visit to Papua New Guinea last week.
Opposition spokesman on Community Development (Sports) Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia said the package was a first from an Australian prime minister, and he was surprised that the sporting fraternity had not commented on it, or checked on what was entailed.
However, Fr Garia said the Opposition appreciated the Rudd Government’s commitment to the development of sports in PNG, and it was heartening that the commitment had come from the prime minister.
The Australian prime minister announced at the PNG Business and Alumni Breakfast in Port Moresby last Friday a series of programmes to help develop sports, particularly rugby league.
Apart from the usual aid assistance, Prime Minister Rudd committed A$260,00 (K684,000) package which he said was aimed at enhancing facilities at sports grounds and providing equipment such as boots, jumpers and shorts.
Rudd, a rugby league fanatic and a true Queenslander, said, “We will provide $50,000 (K131,500) to help around 2,000 young players to meet the registration costs for playing football”. Rudd was made patron of Brisbane Broncos Club early last week.
The Australian prime minister said, “I want to give a real boost to sport in PNG. Helping provide young people with access to sporting facilities and organised sporting activities is a good way for us to send messages about fitness and good heath among young people.”
Further details about the programmes were not available. Likewise, PNG sports administrators, especially rugby league, were not available on Friday to comment on the Rudd announcement.
Fr Garia said it was good news for sports who should be seeking more about the programmes from Australia.
PNG Rugby Football League chief executive officer Jeff Wade joined Fr Garia thanking Prime Minister of Australia for sports packages.
He said they had not seen any thing, apart from what was reported in the media last week. “It is a big thank-you to the Government of Australia,” he added.
Wade said he had not heard anything yet but had been trying since Monday to contact Australia High Commission regarding the commitment by Prime Minister Rudd.
“I cannot make further comments until the details of the sports package are finalised,” Wade said.
PNG Schoolboys Rugby Football League chairman Iffisoe Segeyaro said yesterday he was excited about the funding commitment made by Rudd towards youth in sports.
He thanked the Australian prime minister for the kind gesture for supporting the development of rugby league in PNG by making extra funding through his high office in Canberra.
Segeyaro said the K131,500 for players registration for young players was welcome news.
He said he was also trying to contact the Australia High Commission to see if PNG Schoolboys Rugby League can get their share of the money to develop rugby league at schoolboys level.
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