PNGRFL discourages cash prizes in sanctioned programmes

By JACK AMI
THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League discourages cash prizes in its sanctioned programmes and activities.
Chairman Sandis Tsaka said under his watch, cash will not be involved in any PNGRFL-sanctioned events and tournaments.
“I want to make it clear to the four confederates that there are not cash incentives but only silverware for the cup and plate champions,” Tsaka said.
“Since I was elected as chairman of PNGRFL, cash prizes in tournaments have a lot of disadvantages for rugby league and other sports in the country.
“I don’t support cash involvement but only encouragement and tokens of appreciation to recognise team performances.
“It is evident that the four confederate directors are not involving cash prizes because of the danger involving violence in rugby league.”
Tsaka praised the confederate directors for their stand to discourage monetary rewards in rugby league.
“My aim is to discourage this and develop, promote and market the code in all levels, especially the grassroots where the majority of the talents are,” he said.
Tsaka said cash prizes would never be encourage or introduced in rugby league as that would defeat the purpose of development in the code.
He said cash prizes were a bad way of developing sports in the country and often resulted in disputes and disunity in communities.
“Our biggest problem is attitude and pride and we don’t accept defeat but want to be always winners in the end,” Tsaka said.
“It is about time we change ourselves and look forward in what we are doing for the sport to develop and identify the best talents we have in the country.”