Minister lauds backers

The National Sports

By HENRY MORABANG
THE National government through Sports Ministry commended two corporate giants for coming on board to support its initiative to have 2017 Rugby League World Cup matches played in Papua New Guinea.
Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko made this comment while updating media on the preparation for the World Cup to be played in Port Moresby in October.
He thanked platinum sponsors Oil Search and SP Brewery for coming on board to support the Government.
PNG will co-host the World Cup with Australia and New Zealand.
Host city Port Moresby through the National Capital Distrct Commission injected K5 million for preparations while the State will provide a similar amount in counter-funding.
“We are working closely with World Cup Rugby League host committee and also chief executive Andrew Hill to ensure we host the successful event,” Tkatchenko said.
He said preparations were on target with several major announcements on aspects such as ticket sales, venue preparations and a volunteer programme, would be made soon.
Tkatchenko said the World Cup trophy would arrive in the country and would tour the country – courtesy of Oil Search.
“Oil Search did the 2015 Pacific Games Torch Relay and the World Cup Relay would follow a similar arrangement,” he said.
Tkatchenko said the NRL Commission was pleased with the stability of the sport’s governing body in PNG especially on the re-election of Sandis Tsaka as chairman.
He described the re-election of Tsaka as a vote of confidence in what the Government was doing for rugby league in the country.
“Sandis was re-elected unopposed which shows that rugby league is moving forward under one leader.
“The management from the board level down to chief executive officer Rau Reatau have confidence from all the affiliates indicating rugby league is taking the lead in good governance.”
Tkatchenko said the sport had come a long way in four years with the creation of the Team Kumul programme and the SP Hunters and the confederate system.
He said the other major football codes – soccer and rugby union – needed to take a leaf out of the rugby league copy book.
“Rugby league has set an example and showed how elections should be run.
“Soccer and rugby union have let the country down big time.”