AFL can expand in PNG: O’Neill

PRIME Minister and Minister for Sports Peter O’Neill says Aussie rules (AFL) is a sport that can expand in light of the national team’s success at the weekend when the Mosquitoes retained the International Cup with a thrilling one-point win over New Zealand.
The two-week tournament which concluded at the AFL’s spiritual home ground the MCG on Saturday, saw a PNG side comprising players from the Port Moresby competition pip the NZ Hawks 4.5 (29) to 4.4 (28) to win back-to-back titles and their third overall.
O’Neill congratulated the Mosquitoes for their victory and said the team had done the country proud and said the growing popularity of AFL in PNG was a positive thing and provided another outlet for the nation’s youth to be healthier and participate in team sports.
“I welcome the growing popularity of Aussie rules in PNG.
“It is a unique game in the world of sports and is another way that PNG and Australians could form stronger bonds.
“There is plenty of room for the different codes of football to expand in PNG.
“Our people will always have great passion for rugby league, but we are a sports-loving nation and we will watch all codes.
“We saw how popular soccer became with the Fifa Women’s Under-20 World Cup, rugby union also has a growing supporter base, and as champions once again, we can see AFL gaining more attention.
“The Government will continue to encourage and develop grassroots sports around the country, as well as supporting the development of high performance athletes.
“We have some great athletes in our country who compete on the world stage.
“I congratulate all players, coaches and staff for their hard work to win the AFL International Cup and bring the trophy back home.
“Perhaps some of our young PNG Mozzies were spotted by talent scouts and they might have the opportunity to wear the jumper of an AFL team one day.”