| Sports |
Wagon tracks eight days through
Kokoda Trail
By DAVID KAPI and
CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
PARRAMATTA Rugby League
player Daniel Wagon was the centre of attraction at the Ower’s
Corner in the Sogeri Plateau, Central province, yesterday after
spending eight days on the famous 96km Kokoda Track.
Wagon, former Queensland representative in Australia’s NRL,
Australian Channel Seven television personality Andrew O’Keefe
and 14 others had walked the track starting from Kokoda station
in Northern (Oro) province as part of their campaign on violence
against Women.
Other two Parramatta and NRL rugby league star s Nathan
Hindmarsh and Mark Riddell showed interest but did not make the
trip.
Hinndmarsh could not make it because he was selected in the
Australian Kangaroos side to play New Zealand Kiwis in the
Centenary Test match this Saturday, and Riddell opted out for
personal reasons.
Wagon said that he was thrilled with the beauty of nature and at
how people in remote parts of Papua New Guinea knew about
players in the National Rugby League competition.
“I was amazed at how villagers along the Track greeted me.
Although it was tough going, it was rewarding to walk for a
worthy cause. I am humbled,” Wagon said at the conclusion of the
walk.
Both O’Keefe and Wagon took part in the first ever White Ribbon
NRL Kokoda Trek – an initiative to promote and raise funds for
anti-violence education campaigns, particularly White Ribbon
Day.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against
Women – also known as White Ribbon Day – is observed on Nov 25
every year.
The Australians are due to for Sydney today.
 
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