By HENRY MORABANG
RUGBY league patron, Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane will today launch the inaugural schoolboys roadshow 2007 at Aviat Club in Port Moresby.
The concept is the brainchild of PNG Schoolboys Rugby Football League chairman Ifisoe Segeyaro who wants to see schoolboys elevated into another level. After all, rugby league in the country is not the game without the schoolboys and the junior rugby league competition.
Segeyaro who single handedly put together the programme and initiated the concept strongly believes in partnership in conducting the roadshow throughout the country.
He said yesterday that he wanted the corporate sector and the government to be partners and stakeholders in the exciting prospect which had not been fully harnessed and developed for the good of the game.
“The roadshow offer the chance to create opportunities by becoming a participant and a contributor in developing the talent that will one day make great footballers who will make the country proud,” he said.
Segeyaro said was a cumbersome concept that needed government and private sector support.
“The kids are the future leaders of this country, if we map out the road plan and lead them through to become good footballers, there won’t be any problem in this country,” he said.
The chairman said the roadshow was not only rugby league but a cultural show as well. On the roadshow the speakers will talk about social issues such as gender equality and violence against women, drugs and alcohol related problems.
Corporate company Nestle PNG through its product, Milo, has shown the way by being the first sponsor of schoolboys rugby league – a division of junior rugby league. They have generously invested more than K300,000 in sponsorship package for the three years leading up to now.
Segeyaro also urged provincial governments to take an initiative as stakeholders. The success of the roadshow in provinces will very much depend on the governments in their respective provinces.