Sevens sides backed for World Cup WC

By MARTHA DERUAGE
THE International Container Terminal Service Incorporated South Pacific in partnering with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union by becaming the major sponsor of the national women’s sevens with a K200,000 sponsorship.
“PNG is one of the few countries to send a men’s and women’s team for the 7s World Cup and that is pretty exciting,” CEO Edward Muttiah said.
ICTSI South Pacific is a global port management and development company with headquarters in Manila, Philippines.
“We are very happy to support the team, it is now up to the players to be good ambassadors and make the country proud by playing their best at the Sevens World Cup and lift the country’s flag up high.”
Muttiah said they wanted to promote gender equity and backing the Palais was a step in that direction.
The partnership gives ICTSI South Pacific the naming rights for Palais, which will be seen on their uniforms and gear.
Palais coach John Larry thanked the team’s sponsors including ICTS South Pacific, Air Nuigini, City Pharmacy Group and the PNG Carbine club for their support.
Larry said training had been going on since last year and believed his side were as best prepared as they could be.
“The Palais are ranked 16th in the world so for this year and we hope to reach the top 10 by the end of the year,” Larry said.
He said the four Australian-based players that made the 12-member squad had settled in well to the team and would be a boost at the World Cup in San Francisco, California, USA.
The PNG Carbine club came in with a K50,000 sponsorship for the for men’s side, the Pukpuks, and ICTSI South Pacific Palais’ preparation.
Carbine Club chief executive Peter Aitsi said the club was pleased to help support and promote the sport.
The ICTSI South Pacific Palais and PNG Pukpuks leave today for San Francisco.