Orchids get K300,000 boost for Rugby League World Cup

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE national women’s team received K300,000 as sponsorship from Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) yesterday to prepare for the end-of-year Rugby League World Cup in England.
Head coach Ben Jeffries, who arrived in Port Moresby this week ahead of tomorrow’s Papua New Guinea Orchids trial match, thanked BSP for the support, saying it would help the team to achieve their dream.
“The sponsorship is going to go a long way to helping the team achieve their goals (of playing in the World Cup) and they’ll return with life-long memories,” he said.
“Thank you for your contribution, it will go towards empowering our group of women and they’re very grateful for it.
“We’re looking forward to the World Cup and hopefully we’ll do this country proud.”
BSP digital general manager Nuni Kulu said the bank was hopeful that the sponsorship would help the Orchids in their sporting aspirations.
“We are a people’s bank, but we do believe in equal opportunity for everyone, most importantly for our women, empowering them to achieve their sporting dreams,” she said.
“We do hope to continue encouraging our women to aspire in their dreams, particularly in sports.
“Congratulations and best of luck on behalf of BSP, in all your preparations for the Rugby League World Cup.”
Meanwhile, PNG National Rugby League chief executive Stanley Hondina thanked BSP, saying it was fitting for the bank to partner the national sport.
“We’re grateful for the support to the team as they prepare to compete on the international stage,” he said. “We hope this relationship will continue in the years to come.
“This partnership is something that we can work on together to get that message out in building a good community of young men and women.”