Former Kumul Aila challenges Abau players to be committed

YOUNG Abau rugby league talent were delighted when former Papua New Guinea Kumuls centre Eddie Aila, pictured, visited the district on Friday.
Aila, from Central and Milne Bay, witnessed the launch of the Marshall Lagoon Rugby Football League while taking time to motivate young talent in Abau.
Aila, who is a board member of the Central Dabaris bid team for next year’s Digicel Cup, encouraged young men from the area to be committed and disciplined if they wish to succeed in rugby league.
“I challenge all you young men,” Aila said.
“Every day, you can make a decision whether to drink homebrew, do something that breaks you down or you can think about your future and build something.
“You can’t blame anyone for your downfalls in life.
“How hard or sad you feel every day depends on you.
“I encourage you to start today regardless of what has happened in your life.
“I was 15 years old when I started training hard in Gerehu in Port Moresby.
“I used to do weights every morning and every night and then I played for the Kumuls when I was 21 years old.
“It was a good experience when I played with the Kumuls for three years.
“I am happy to see a lot of young men playing hard.
“If you take rugby league seriously, then nothing is stopping you from getting there.
Aila who has five appearances with the Kumuls from 2000 to 2002 shared his experience about what got them through to the quarterfinals in the 2000 World Cup.
“I played alongside PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum,” he said.
“We went to the World Cup in England in 2000 and like the Kumuls last year, we made it to the quarterfinals.
“We beat France, South Africa and Tonga, and went to the quarterfinals where we lost to Wales.
“When we played France, we were trailing at halftime.
“Our captain Adrian Lam and vice-captain Stanley Gene were disappointed in us and asking us why we weren’t playing well.
“I was playing centre next to Marcus Bai, who was out on the wing.
“When we went out in the second half, we saw our leaders very committed and that sparked us to beat France on their home soil 23-21.
“So young men today, if you want to be great at something, nothing is stopping you. Start thinking about that.”