PNGRFL chairman Tsaka condemns attack on match officials

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has slammed the recent violence that occurred in its member associations in Lae and Port Moresby.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said yesterday that violence painted a bad picture of the country.
He said the sport’s national governing body had adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on violence.
“We strongly condemn all forms of violence in rugby league, including policing the off-field conduct of our players, officials and administrators,” Tsaka said.
“Any player, official or fan implicated in any form of violence is dealt with severely; both as punitive and exemplary or a deterrent.
“Violence of any sort, including in sports, definitely paints a bad image of that sport and the country.
“This is why PNGRFL has adopted the policy to leverage the passion our people have for the sport and to use it as a vehicle of positive change in our communities and country.”
Tsaka assured all stakeholders of rugby league that PNGRFL would continue to apply the policy to gain confidence.
“It is unfortunate that it has happened again, but we want to give confidence to all stakeholders that we have established strict policies to prevent and deal with such issues when they occur,” he said.
Tsaka said the aim of the policy was to provide a safe sporting environment for all.
He said PNGRFL wanted to make rugby league an inclusive and family-oriented sport.