KPHL gives K1mil to PNGRFL

KUMUL Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) yesterday announced a K1 million sponsorship to help the Papua New Guinea LNG Kumuls and Oil Search Orchids prepare for their end-of-season tests.
Managing director Wapu Sonk said KPHL was pleased to be part of rugby league in PNG.
“We are very happy to be partnering the sport that we all love, rugby league. We wish the PNG Orchids and the Kumuls teams the very best in their matches and we ask them to be good ambassadors of our country,” he said.
The Kumuls face Fiji and the visiting British Lions while the Orchids face England Women in a two-test series to be played in Goroka and Port Moresby’s National Football Stadium.
The sponsorship will cover the costs of hosting the women’s fixture of the Oceania Cup in Port Moresby between the Orchids and Pacific All Stars as well as the Lions match.
PNG Rugby Football League chief executive Reatau Rau said the support from KPHL, on behalf the government, was a relief as hosting international matches was costly.
“As the game grows and the events increase, we are not able to fund all these things,” he said.
“As our image grows, the international governing body (Rugby League International Federation) recognises PNG as a strong destination to host quality events and even tests, starting this year.
“The Orchids are now attracting attention as well. So every international match the Kumuls play, we try as much as possible to have the Orchids as a double-header.
“We can use the game to send out messages about gender equity, empowerment and violence against women.”