Fans urged to respect game

Sports

By EHEYUC SESERU
FANS in Lae city will get a rare opportunity to watch the SP PNG Hunters live when the reigning Q-Cup champions play their round 19 game against the Norths Devils at the upgraded Lae Rugby League on Sunday.
But a resident of the Morobe capital has called on spectators to respect each other during Intrust Super Cup match as the city did not get the chance to stage top level matches aside from regular Digicel Cup matches.
Concerned resident and football fan Justine George called on spectators and supporters of the teams to respect each other and more importantly women and children who would go to see some of the country’s best footballers in action.
The Hunters-Devils match will be preceded by the round 16 Digicel Cup fixture between the Lae Tigers and Enga Mioks. George said people wanting to watch the double-header needed to show a level of respect for their fellow fans as well as the teams and match officials.
“Some people will be going to watch the game with all their families including women and children. Everyone must respect each other and don’t steal from others,” George said.
He said there were past incidents of pick pockets, harassment of women and rowdiness by supporters during a previous Prime Minister’s 13 match played there.
George said he had observed over the years that game day at the LRL venue could be chaotic as fans came in droves to the turnstiles to buy tickets and organisers struggled to control the crowds.
“There are no proper lines with everyone rushing to get inside. There’s also opportunists among the crowd who pick pockets, steal tickets and other personal items like mobile phones from people trying to get in.”
George called on spectators coming from Highlands provinces, Madang and within Lae and Morobe to behave civilly and respect each other enjoy the day watching the Hunters play in Lae for the first time.
George added that organisers needed to ensure the venue was safe for women and children to watch and enjoy the double-header.
Tickets for the double-header are at Andersons Foodland in Eriku, Brian Plaza and the Food Mart in top town.