NGCB backs rules, rugby development

THE National Gaming and Control Board (NGCB) yesterday came in with a timely sponsorship towards assisting two of Papua New Guinea’s football codes for their junior development.
The two recipients, AFL PNG and the PNG Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU), were all smiles as the funding will enable them to embark on their programmes for junior development through their respective sports.
NGCB chairman Leonard Louma said one of the objectives of the NGCB was developing and assisting sports, which also covered junior sports development.
He said they believed in establishing a foundation that would bring in competitiveness on the national and regional level.
The PNGRFU received a total of K250,000 and was grateful for NGCB’s continuous support to rugby.
PNGRFU president Richard Sapias said he was glad because the PNGRFU would be able to carry out its programmes for junior rugby development.
He said there was already a junior U20 side that would be finalised to attend the Junior World Trophy in Russia next month.
Sapias added that the funds received would go a long way in developing our juniors to participate in such events to build a talent base that would lift the standard of rugby in PNG.
On the other hand, AFL PNG received a hefty sum of K150,000.
AFL PNG representative Walter Yangomina said there were a number of children taking part in their development programs throughout PNG last year.
He said they were looking to fit these children through their huge network of tangible pathways overseas.
There are already 20 children in the system and AFL PNG is trying to double the figure this year.
Louma said that sports had always been an avenue the NGCB was looking into to develop because it was an important tool to unifying the country.