Let’s embrace a sporting spirit

 THE country’s premier rugby league match, the Digicel Cup grand final, takes place on Sunday at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby. 

Pitted in the cauldron of fanaticism and fervour are two teams that have proven themselves to be the best in season 2013. 

The Port Moresby Vipers and the Goroka Lahanis must be commended for making it to the ultimate decider of the year.

The game is being played in Port Moresby because, sad but true, it is the safest and best venue in the country.

That is not saying much considering what happened there a fortnight ago.

The onus will be on the two teams, one of which has not won the premiership in 19 years, to produce their best performance of the season.

That goes without saying as it is a grand final.

The sportsmanship that is displayed on the field is something die-hard fans of the nation’s most popular sport must learn to emulate.

How the fans behave as they cheer for their sides and later celebrate or commiserate what could have been will reflect on how successful the competition  in the season has been.

An unruly crowd, like that seen in a recent minor semi-final at the venue of Sunday’s final, only tarnishes the reputation of the country.

Worst, such as brawl, death and burning, has occurred elsewhere in the country.

Already the international community, to a large extent, regard Papua New Guinea to be largely a lawless state, with one of the highest violent crime rates in the world.

It is one reason why the tourists are staying away.

Violence must stop without the police having to fire tear gas or set the dogs out. 

That is the responsibility of every fan of every sport that is loved and played here.

True sportsmanship by fans will only come with mutual respect for all teams and not only the one they barrack for.

In that regard, we should think about why the Vipers seem to have the smallest fan base.

Even in their home games,  fans of the pride of the capital city more often than not are out-numbered.

It is important to note the words of National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop at a press conference with the two teams yesterday.

Parkop said in no uncertain terms that part of the problem in PNG was that people held onto their provincial allegiance for too long.

He lamented that the fact that longtime residents of the city had the habit of choosing their ethnicity over their place of residence.

The former human rights lawyer said he was saddened that citizens of the nation’s capital would rather support a side they had a tenuous connections with over the team made of players from their streets and suburbs.

This was just one manifestation of the divisions that existed among the people of the city.

“The sports fans of the nation’s capital must take ownership of their team, the side that represents them.

By backing the Vipers or any team that represents this city, it shows that you are behind the capital and there is unity,” Parkop said.

“It shows that you care and that you want to look after this city and not just live in it.” 

The point he was trying to make was that people who lived and worked in Port Moresby should rightly be supporting the Vipers.

They make their bread and butter in the capital city but refuse to back the city’s pride in rugby league.

He encouraged fans to support their side with respect and a sense of good sportsmanship and fair play – the same values that the sport was trying to promote.

“We must respect the game and both teams,” Parkop said.. 

“Remember this grand final will only be won or lost on the field.

“The fans have a responsibility to support in a peaceful manner and enjoy themselves.” 

The Vipers or any team for that matter that claims to represent a city or town needs the support of the people that it draws its players from, otherwise the endeavour quickly loses its appeal and becomes a waste of time.

The Lahanis and Vipers have loyal fans, many living  in NCD and Port Moresby. 

It would be a tragedy if a team that won a title in front of its“home crowd” is booed off the field or worse. 

Let’s all enjoy Sunday’s final and may the best team win.