Baiyer lay down arms for sports

A WELL-known tribal fighting area in Western Highlands has made sports their top priority in a concerted effort to restore peace and harmony among the people.
Baiyer district has had more than their fair share of troubles and tragedies over the years, which have prompted an initiative by community leader Max Paia to change the people’s mindset through sporting and community awareness programmes.
Paia launched his initiative two months ago, firstly with a four-week awareness programme on illicit drug abuse followed by a 12-team off-season rugby league competition.
The players are traditional tribal enemies but are now competing in a modern and peaceful event that does not require tools of war such as firearms.
“This is something new because so far many lives and properties have been destroyed and attempts by the law-enforcing agencies to stop the fights have not successful,” Paia said.
“However, this time it is the people who have taken the initiative to change.”
Paia said during the awareness programme, hundreds of marijuana plants were uprooted by youth groups in front of their leaders to show that they wanted to change.
 for the better.
He said that Australian based rugby union player Petowa Paraka, son of prominent lawyer Paul Paraka, was expected to travel to Baiyer this month to witness the rugby league competition.
Paia said he hoped to sponsor a team from Baiyer to take part in the Ipatas Cup competition and assist with plans to affiliate with the PNG Rugby Football League.
He added that Mt Hagen referees association president Francis Kot also supported the competition by assisting the teams and players with clinics on the rules of the game.
Kot said that this is a big change for Baiyer.
“I have been helping so many off – season leagues in the competition to promote rugby league but I see that Baiyer has potential and talented people that can carry the name of the province,” Kot said.
“This is because I have witnessed it and want to thank also the leaders who have been educating their youths to take part in sports.”
He said that this is a community development program and at the same time it is promoting rugby league in rural areas.
“I have been with rugby league in all my life and also I want to call on the business houses, MPs and individuals to support such developing activities which can do a lot for the people.”