Osborne backs Madang to field team in Digicel Cup

SP Hunters chairman Graham Osborne says he has confidence in the Madang Rugby Football League (MRFL) fielding a team in the Digicel Cup.
Osborne, who was in Madang to watch the grand final A-Grade grand final between Mapai Knights and GP Welas, said he was satisfied with the level of competition and professionalism shown by the league.
“I must say that the MRFL has the potential to field a team in the Digicel Cup,” Osborne told the league.
“You have talented players who can make the Hunters and Papua New Guinea Kumuls.”
Osborne also thanked Ramu NiCo for backing the grand final with K10,000.
MRFL chairman Joseph Passingan said the province had some potential players who could make to the Hunters and Kumuls but the competition would need to keep improving to meet the required standard.
“We have premier institutions and major investors that attract people from all over the country who come to study and work in Madang,” he said.
“These are people who have the potential to field a Madang team in the Digicel Cup.
“We will also need a major sponsor to come on board and support the game.
“Getting a credible sponsorship is difficult but there are potential backers available and we only need to market the game to possible financiers who can use rugby to sell and promote their products. We were unfortunate to get a sponsor this year.
“But we thank Ramu NiCo for coming on board with K10,000 to sponsor a successful day of grand finals.
“We thank Ramu NiCo and hope we can work together next year and in the years to come.”
Ramu NiCo said it was proud to sponsor the grand final for youths to enjoy.
“Being part of the Madang community, we are excited to assist,” it said.
“We wish to continue depending on the successful operation of the project as well as the support we get from our stakeholders.”
The grand final saw Mapai Knights beat GP Welas 20-14 to walk away with the Ramu NiCo Cup and K2,000 while the opposition were handed K1,000 as runners-up.
In the women’s grand final, Mapai Knights beat North Riders 4-0 to walk away with K800.
The Under-20 grand final saw North Riders beat Welas 24-12 to pocket K1,000.
Mapai operations manager Kyle Jones, who is based in Lae, said he travelled to Madang to watch the grand final.
He said Mapai was happy to sponsor the Knights and would continue to do so in the years to come.