Chairman’s re-appointment speaks volumes

CONGRATULATIONS to Sandis Tsaka on being re-elected as the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman for a fourth consecutive term.
Tsaka received an overwhelming support of 32 votes while only 13 league presidents voted for challenger Tony Sipa for the top post.
No doubt, Tsaka did a lot given the rise of the Kumuls, Hunters, the Orchids and the pathway that has been established.
Many people still question the current system and why we don’t see many players graduate from the local leagues to Hunters and to NRL, apart from Justin Olam. Let us not play dumb here. For a start, let’s count the small successes we’ve had which happened right under our noses.
Yes, the pathway system with the Hunters did not live up to our expectations, but look at the number of players and their families that this system has impacted.
Obviously, Olam is the only finest that came out of Hunters system. But how can you forget Edwin Ipape, Sylvester Namo, Nixon Putt, Rodrick Tai, Keven Appo, Wellington Albert, Emmanuel Waine, Kitron Laka and Edene Gabbie.
These group of players are currently living their best life in either UK or Australia. Some of them have secured jobs, got married and are about to send their kids to schools while living in developed countries.
NRL is not everything, it’s about using Hunters as a platform to gain exposure and when you get that opportunity overseas, you use that to create another opportunity.
Kitron Laka completed his schooling and is working in Brisbane while playing for Brisbane Tigers. Ipape, Apo and Albert are raising their families in the UK. Some of them are settlement kids, rugby league gave them their future.
Don’t tell me they would have made it without Hunters system. Hunters had an immediate impact in their rugby league journey and that is the platform that changed the lives of these players.
These are clear examples of the positive side of the current system we have. It’s been 10 years and it’s working in progress.
We’re not entirely giving credit to Tsaka but these are some of the things he had a hand in and despite some of his weaknesses that were highlighted by his opposition before the AGM.
Now the local leagues have been dying as claimed by some of the league presidents in the lead-up to the AGM.
The 13 presidents that voted against Tsaka had genuine concerns and it was healthy to express those frustrations at the AGM.
Local league is the foundation. Without local leagues, there is no Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, no Hunters, no Kumuls, no pathway and rugby league will die.
Without local leagues there will be no PNGRFL office, no CEO, no chairman, no multi-million kina corporate sponsors, no fans, rugby league will die. Know your roots dear PNGRFL.

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‘Pilai Bilong Yumi’ is our commentary column which provides a perspective on important issues and matters in PNG sports.