It’s not matter of life and death

Letters, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday July 13th, 2015

 I AM not sure if the headline story on Friday (July 10) about the road accident in the Western Highlands is true. 

I say this because EMTV signals can be received around the Tambul area and I cannot understand why these people had to travel to Mt Hagen to watch the State of Origin decider.

If it is true, then I think there is some serious resetting of mindset that needs to happen among us Papua New Guineans.

The State of Origin games are played in Australia. 

Invariably it is either played in Sydney or Brisbane. 

Only an odd game will be played elsewhere like in Melbourne as was the case with the second State of Origin match

Moreover, it is followed mostly in two states in Australia – New South Wales and Queensland.

However, it is followed by all the 21 provinces in Papua New Guinea and is watched by more than half of our population with many more tuning into the radios to listen to the live broadcasts.  

Coincidentally, the 2015 Pacific Games is also taking place in Port Moresby where the EMTV have entered into a contract with the Pacific Games Organising Committee to telecast the biggest sporting event in PNG since independence.

The pertinent question to ask is – Did EMTV factor in a special clause in the contract for the relay of the State of Origin Match? If so, then we are crazier than I thought we were.

For NSW Supporters, the lack of counter strategy to nullify the Maroons onslaught should perhaps make you and I realise whether it is worth it. 

If the Maroons were gang tackling then the Blues should have been ordered to put more bodies on the line to counter them.

If it was the players who failed to execute their set plays then the Blues strategists need to seriously review their game plan. 

It is incredible that this level of football can result in huge score-line. The Blues are no less professional than the Maroons and I ask – is it worth watching a massacre?

What does this tell us? 

I think it tells Papua New Guineans to make a break and identify another pastime instead of watching this crazy Australian game that provides much excitement for the hard-core Blues and Maroons fans but also result in great disappointments and grief for many innocent citizenss. 

 

Converted ex-fan

Port Moresby