Minister lauds rugby league’s achievements

 By MELTON PAIS
Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko has affirmed that rugby league development in Papua New Guinea has gone far in a short time.
Tkachenko made the remarks during a partnership announcement between NRL Pacific Outreach Programme and Digicel PNG at the National Football Stadium on Monday.
He, in commending Digicel and NRL, said the partnership was icing on the cake for the ongoing rugby league development in the country, especially for the junior boys and girls who love rugby.
“This is a pathway for superstars to be made in the future and by this partnership, we are certain that everything is being set for the upcoming rugby league players,” Tkatchenko said.
“We are now looking forward to more PNG young stars breaking onto the local and international scene.
“I believe these kind of partnerships and programmes will give opportunities to the young players.
The minister called on other stakeholders and business partners to support young players and kids at the grassroots level.
He named international rugby league players from PNG such as Stanton Albert and his elder brother Wellington, Kato Otio and a few others, as having set the precedence and promoted the rugby league legacy of PNG.