National Football Stadium to host 9s

 THE Mineral Resources Development Company Rugby League Nines tournament is now confirmed for March 4-6 at the National Football Stadium.

This was confirmed by Port Moresby Rugby League chairman Dr James Naipao after the NFS trustee board approved the usage of the main arena and oval 2 for the MRDC Nines.

Dr Naipao said the 14 rugby league clubs would field two teams each. 

The 14 PRL teams are: Royals; Brothers; Souths; Butterflies; Hohola Flies; Kone Storm; Kone Tigers; Dobo Warriors; Magani; Defence; West; Tarangau; Hanuabada Hawks; and Paga Panthers.

Four invitation teams have been confirmed to attend the tournament and they are Tei Kariko (Gulf), Borenumu Flyers (Rigo), Porebada Broncos (Hiri) and Aroma Coast (Abau).

Naipao said for PRL affiliates, clubs would pay K300 registration for one team and K500 for two. 

Women’s teams would pay K200 (for one team) and K350 (two teams).

All invitational teams will pay K500 each. 

The fees were agreed upon at the PRL annual general meeting. 

The chairman told affiliates that the cash prize would increase with major sponsor MRDC chipping in K30,000 and additional funds would be collected from affiliation fees. 

Naipao appealed to team managements, players and supporters to abide by the ground rules and code of conduct set by the PRL board.

He said team officials, players and supporters would be severely penalised and barred from the NFS grounds for any misconduct. 

“The PRL board appeals to all the stakeholders to take ownership of the new facilities and change their bad attitudes of the past,” Naipao said.

He said the new facilities were made in a way to educate people to respect the game and change their mindset to be good sportspersons and supporters.