Marum hoping to bring success into politics

By MICHAEL PHILIP
FORMER Hunters and Kumuls coach Michael Marum plans to bring the attributes that gave him success in rugby league to the political arena as he contests the East New regional seat at General Election 2022.
Speaking during a rally at Queen Elizabeth Park in Rabaul last month Marum said his leadership and success as a player, coach and manager had been built on discipline, not cutting corners, following systems and trusting in them and surrounding himself with good people.
“Whether you are leader in sports or in politics, it all depends on how you lead,” he said.
“For me, I played my leadership roles and responsibilities in sports for so long and I see no difference with politics.
“For as long as you lead and deliver for the people you’re already defining leadership.
“I am coach and I know how to build a team and with that experience I can build a perfect team for East New Britain into the future.”
The 2017 Q-Cup premiership winning coach said despite enjoying his commitment to the country’s number one sport for over 20 years as a player and then coach he wanted to help develop his home province. The 48-year-old said he was ready for the challenge of running for office because he was sure his leadership, experience, fresh perspectives and desire to make his people’s lives better would be a winning combination for the province.
Marum made a name for himself in the rugby league world first as a rugged hooker-lock forward playing for the Kumuls and the Rabaul Gurias and Port Moresby Vipers in the first decade of the then SP Inter-City Cup before transitioning into coaching working under men like Adrian Lam, Bob Bennett and Mal Meninga before taking the reins of the national team in 2015. Under Marum, PNG improved its world ranking from 16th to 5th and regular success over Fiji, Cook Islands and even the British Lions.
Marum acknowledged all in his rugby league journey that had contributed to making him the person he was today.
“I’m thankful to everyone over the years who helped me and gave me the opportunity and support to do what I have done.”
With the slogan ‘Leadership is not a position, it’s an action’, Marum said, “You can be a leader, you can talk but when you don’t do the action, nothing will happen.
“So let’s put it this way, less talk more work. Enough of talking let’s work together and create a better East New Britain.”