Footballers lead campaign

SOCCER is paving the way for other sports to involve representative players in campaigning against schools fights in Lae, Morobe, according to an official.
On Wednesday, organisers of the Tent City back-to-school tournament created awareness alongside the Papua New Guinea Football Association, police, Lae Urban local-level government deputy lord mayor Jacob Maragau and some representative players from the province.
Tournament coordinator Wally Mondo said the campaign would not have been a success without their input.
“For you to make banners and join senior players and stakeholders speaks volumes in our campaign against school fights and to promote good sportsmanship,” he said.
“We know that school fights are a big problem especially for Bumayong Secondary School and Tent City, Taraka, St Patrick and Lanakapi primary schools.
“I acknowledge the support of PNG and Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) players in helping to deliver our ‘stop school fights’ campaign in Lae.
“Your participation in this campaign is for a worthy course and that is to help stop school fights and unite communities.”
On behalf of all the representative players who took part in the campaign, PNG international Raymond Gunemba said school fights had affected students over the years.
“Those of us playing in the NSL and representing PNG, we have experienced school fights,” he said.
“At the end of the day, what do you get out of school fights?
“You get nothing.
“Taking part in school fights will get you nowhere. If you can’t make it to a higher institution, there are opportunities in life.
“If you are good in football, you can make it as I did.
“In football, there is discipline and good sportsmanship which will help you as a player and member of your community.
“Football unites people from different backgrounds, lifestyles and cultures.”