League to drive Apec awareness

The National Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) PNG Coordination Authority have joined hands to create awareness on this year’s summit.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said it was fitting for the national sport to emphasise the significance of the event.
The PNGRFL board proposed to the authority to be partners and it was approved yesterday through a memorandum of agreement.
“The partnership between PNGRFL and the authority is to promote Apec leading up to the actual meeting,” Tsaka said.
“The partnership aims to bring awareness right across the country using the power and influence of rugby league.”
Tsaka spoke of Apec as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the country need to take full advantage of. “Rugby league provides that opportunity for partnerships and many Papua New Guineans are passionate about the national sport,” Tsaka said.
Tsaka said the agreement would allow PNGRFL to use the Apec PNG logo for branding in all its programmes.
He gave an example on the upcoming Pacific Test on June 23 between the PNG Kumuls and Fiji Bati which will see the Kumuls’ jerseys bear the Apec PNG logo.
Other international matches such as the Prime Minister’s 13 Test will also promote the Apec PNG logo on their jerseys.
Apart from the international fixtures, all tournaments sanctioned by the PNGRFL will also carry the Apec PNG logo
“All our PNGRFL branding, publications, uniforms and jerseys will carry the Apec PNG logo,” Tsaka said.
“We’re also working with our partners Oil Search Limited to have branding visibility in all our venues, especially the National Football Stadium.
“That’s how rugby league can give back to the Government for their confidence and investment in rugby league.
“We feel that through rugby league, we can get the grassroots involved to recognise what Apec is all about.
“We have rugby league organisations playing in places like Tari, Vanimo and Daru.
“We can reach people like no other medium in PNG.
“Memos will be sent to every tournament with the Apec message, so youngsters playing rugby league in remote areas are made aware.
“Those coming here want to know about PNG and rugby league is one aspect of our country.”
PNG Hunters’ Rhadley Brawa, Moses Meninga and Wartovo Puara Jr are the brand ambassadors.