Rugby gets MTSL backing for 2018

THE Papua New Guinea rugby sevens team has been given a significant boost with the Melanesian Trustee Services Limited coming on board with a K100,000 package for the year.
The Pukpuks, who will be participating in back-to-back tournaments, when they take to the field in the Sydney (Jan 26-28) and Hamilton (New Zealand) sevens (Feb 3-4) which are legs of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
The team has already been finalised and will leave the country next week for Australia to take part in both Oceania tournaments on the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Lawrence Stephens, MTSL general manager (Corporate Affairs and Governance) stated that the Pukpuks management were able to reach out to people and organisations who shared a common passion for sport and rugby in particular.
“MTSL is pleased to have the opportunity to lend our support to the PNG Pukpuks,” Stephens said.
“The PNG Rugby Football Union approached us at the right time.
“We’re happy to see this first instalment go through assisting with the team’s preparations as they will be leaving for Sydney and then Hamilton next week.
“And we look forward to their success.”
PNG Rugby Football Union president Ben Frame said despite the turmoil that had surrounded the code over the past 12 months, it was encouraging to see sponsors still willing to support the national team.
“It’s good to find an organisation that wants to align themselves with PNG rugby union, we have a busy calendar ahead and we’re certainly confident that our team can go out there and do themselves and the country proud,” Frame said.
“The past year has been very challenging year for PNG rugby, but I think it’s time that we pull ourselves out of the rut that we are in, to move forward and rebuild the code.
“This will be done by the players on the field.”