Kiunga league gassed up, set to fire

The National Sports

KIUNGA,  Western, came alive last Saturday as rugby league witnessed the biggest sponsorship in the history of sports in this part of the country.
Stanley Gas Development partners Repsol, Horizon Oil, Osaka Gas and Mitsubishi Corporation combined to give the Kiunga Rugby League Association K150,000 to raise the profile of the league in the Southern region and the country.
The morale-boosting big sponsorship came in the form of full sets of jerseys for all eight teams in both A and B grades, the registration of all players to the PNGRFL, registration of all referees and provision of their new their uniforms, balls, goalpost pads and training gear.
Repsol community affairs manager (PNG) Robin Moaina and Horizon Oil community relations superintendent Nick Wambari presented the uniforms to captains of the teams after they were blessed by local church leader Pastor Sugam Koma before the a big crowd in Kiunga’s main oval.
Moaina and KRL president Roy Kakarere agreed it was an historic occasion for the league and the people of Western.
In receiving the sponsorship, Kakarere appealed to his players to promote the game in the spirit of true sportsmanship.
Moaina also told the crowd that Stanley Gas partners were pleased to be part of the development of rugby league in the province.
He said they were pleased to put their money into developing league and urged the people especially the players and administrators to take ownership of the code.
“The Stanley Gas Partners are pleased to assist you but in doing so we ask that your honour our commitment by doing your part by raising the level of the game by playing, referring and managing the game well,” Moaina said.
“We’ll continue our support but keep violence and negativity out.”
Kakarere also echoed similar sentiments adding Stanley Gas Partners had put a lot of money, time and effort into supporting rugby league in Kiunga and a high standard to be maintained and strived for.
“Play with pride and play fairly. I am sure your new uniforms will also inspire you to aim high and Stanley Gas Partners will be happy if a few of you can make it to the Hunters or even the Kumuls,” Kakarere said.
Referee Harry Kairu said in all his years officiating in Kiunga, the gesture by Stanley Gas Partners was the biggest by any corporate group in Western province.