Wigmen support benefits Hela: MP

TARI-PORI MP James Marape, pictured, has embraced the partnership arrangement where Hela Wigmen players will attend the Kumul Petroleum Holdings academy in preparation for life after football.
He rated the partnership arrangement as hugely beneficial to the development of rugby league players from Hela province.
Marape, who is also the Finance Minister, said as local member he was pleased with the signing of the agreement for a K1.2 million sponsorship which would covers the three key areas; paying of K250,000 affiliation to Digicel Cup, K250,000 for Hela Wigmen to resides at Kumul Petroleum Academy, and thirdly for infrastructural development.
He said for Wigmen players to attend the Kumul Petroleum Holding Academy was a positive for the sport.
“It now creates opportunity for young Hela Wigmen players to go beyond Wigmen and Digicel Cup,” Marape said.
He commended Brisbane Broncos feeder club Ipswich Jets for the partnership that now created link between the Q-Cup competition and Hela Wigmen.
Marape offered his greatest congratulations to the partnership which included Kumul Petroleum Holdings (KPH), Hela Wigmen and the Ipswich Jets and the Hela Wigmen players.
“I am happy to see the Wigmen franchise being taken on board by the biggest company in the country, Kumul Petroleum Holdings through its subsidiary, Kroton for supporting rugby league in Hela and the country,” he said.
Marape said his was satisfied as local representative of the Tari-Pori people to see the partnership has taken place.
While welcoming the new partnership, he paid tribute to foundation sponsor, Hela Provincial Government and Kemele Construction for their support.
The Wigmen won the title in 2014.
Marape said though the club was only four years old, it had a successful rate on the field.
“The team success rate on the field is above 70 per cent,” Marape said. “I hope Wigmen will not let the new sponsors down and encourage the officials and players to go by strict stringement in selection of players
“I’m satisfied that a company has put back its money in Hela and investing back to the people, this time in sports, as per its social obligation in education and sport,” Marape said.
Three Wigmen recruits – Benjamin Hetra, Brandy Peter and Warren Glare – also benfited from the partnership with the Jets as they will have the chance to play for the club in 2017.