Barras receive K1.2mil

By PATRICIA KEAMO
KUMUL Petroleum Holdings Limited yesterday announced a K1.2 million sponsorship for Cricket Papua New Guinea (CPNG) ahead the Barramundis’ maiden Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
The national oil and gas company is now the naming rights sponsor of the national men’s cricket team for the next 12 months.
Company managing director Wapu Sonk said they were hopeful that the support would help lift the top-16 Barramundis’ place in the world ranking.
“So far in sports, CPNG is doing a good job so we are happy to support them,” he said.
“We’re going to stand behind the national team that will represent us at the World Cup.”
Sonk said CPNG had approached them last week after attempts to secure a major sponsor were unsuccessful and they did not hesitate to step in.
“They have been looking (for a major sponsor) because of the Coronavirus pandemic and the bad economic times that we are faced with now.
“We have been supporting rugby league for many years now.
“But we are proud to be associated with cricket, especially the World Cup that the Barramundis are going to compete in.
“The World Cup is going to have a huge audience across the globe which is good exposure for Kumul Petroleum.”
CPNG secretary Michael Harrison thanked the company for stepping in as their major sponsor.
“We just hope that they make their way to the main event (World Cup) which will be held in Dubai,” he said.
The Barramundis were in quarantine since last Tuesday before they departed over the weekend for Brisbane and transited to Dubai.
“The travelling party of 26 who have gone (to Oman include) physiotherapists, doctors, team managers and coaches (and the 14 PNG-based players),” Harrison said.
“It’s been a huge challenge and it costs a lot of money to get them there, so we are very thankful for the support.”