Boost for Momase league referees

THE Lae Biscuit Company, through its product Snax, has come to the aid of the Momase Rugby League Association by donating uniforms worth more than K5,000.
The uniforms, which include shirts, shorts and socks, will be distributed to referees and touch judges in Lae, Madang, Ramu, Kainantu, Yonki and Bulolo-Wau.
Lae Biscuit national sales manager Justus Rapura presented the uniforms to the Lae Rugby League president Eka Willie last Friday.
Willie, who is also a senior referee, said there were about 100 referees and touch judges in the Momase region with Lae contributing 15.
Willie thanked the company for the uniforms, saying they had been without proper outfit for many years.
Rapura said Lae Biscuit Company had been supporting sports for more than 27 years.
He told Willie and a small band of referees during the presentation that they should always be tough and stand their ground on the field.
Rapura said a lot of referees in rugby league and other codes throughout PNG were intimidated, booed and even assaulted by spectators and players.
He said referees were on the field to control the game so they should be fair, honest and tough in their rulings.
“Make sure rules are applied and complied with by the players and when you stand your ground, spectators will respect you and the game will be interesting to watch,” Rapura said.
Willie and another senior Lae referee Ume Oa were among other referees selected by the PNG National Rugby League to control the Digicel Cup matches this season.