District gov’t gets behind Douglas Guise tournament

THE Namatanai District Development Authority (DDA) in New Ireland has been named platinum sponsor of the inaugural Douglas Guise Tribute 7s tournament.
New Ireland Rugby Union (Niru) president Charlie Melachon made the announcement on Friday in collaboration with Lihir mine landowner company, Nimamar Capital Limited (NCL), as the tournament’s gold sponsor.
Melachon thanked the Namatanai DDA and its chairman and local MP Walter Schnaubelt for committing K60,000 to Niru to run the tournament which will be from Sept 17-19.
Melachon also thanked Goodman Fielders International through household brands Skel Rice and Flame Flour donated K10,000 worth of rations to the organising committee as the tournament’s silver sponsor.
“The support by Schnaubelt is definitely a great show of confidence to Niru and with Nimamar Capital pumping in more than K24,000 last month is the reason that Namatanai district is ready to partake in the greater plans of rugby in province,” he said.
Melachon said developing the potential of youth through sports and in this case through rugby union, already had a legacy in the province that needed no explanation.
“For far too long the achievements of the former years and former New Ireland greats in the code have become just writings on the wall.”
He said revisiting this legacy was becoming reality with greater inclusive pathways for the province and this was only possible through sustainable partnerships.
“It’s an overwhelming response from both the political and corporate sector in the province all for one course and that is to bring out the best of local rugby.
“The show of support both within and outside the province shows a great deal of recognition of former Pukpuks coach and representative Douglas Guise and his contribution to the code in PNG.”
Melachon said while there was more to be done to bring the code up to par with the rest of Oceania, tournaments such as this were worthwhile in helping rebuild rugby.
He said the establishment of unions down the local councils was a huge task envisioned under his management which would see the formal realisation of the Namatanai Rugby Union to Central Rugby Union, Nalik Rugby Union, Kara Rugby, Kavieng Urban Rugby Union, Lovongai Rugby Union, Murat Rugby Union, Lihir Rugby Union, Matalai Rugby Union, and Konoagil Rugby Union covering all LLGs in the province.