Samb urges union to keep politics out

AN MP has urged Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRU) to leave out politics from the game’s administration following the launch of its 2022 calendar and five-year strategic plan (2021-2026).
Commerce and Industry Minister William Samb, said the current group of players in the game were mostly affected by the sport’s past problems and he urged the new administration to take lead in changing the direction of rugby union in the country.
“There’s too much politics in rugby union, leave the politics to politicians and federations should be concerned about running their sports,” the Goilala MP said.
“Players are the victims of politics in rugby union and we should leave that behind and make sure that we excel in the sport.
“Money doesn’t just fall from the sky, the new management has to spend it properly and assure that we see some results, so help will come easily.
“With this type of commitment coming, let’s put our differences aside, put up a budget so that we realise our dream of making it into the top half rugby union-playing countries.”
Meanwhile, Samb and federation patron and National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop committed a total of K710,000 following Thursday’s launch.
Parkop committed K500,000 to the code while minister Samb pledged K200,000 from the Commerce and Industry Ministry along with K10,000 from his district.
“We’ve given the initial support here in the (Sir Hubert Murray) stadium,” Parkop said.
“It is now free for the union to use in rolling out our strategy.
“I’m committing K500,000 to support our union, so let’s take this journey now.
“It’s a journey we should have taken a long time ago, but I know it’s not too late.”