Sepik Pride seeking inclusion in comp

By JELILAH KUM
A SEPIK team is seeking Digicel Cup inclusion from next year with a bid awaiting the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition’s (PNGNRLC) response, according to an official.
Sepik Pride chairman John Wagambie Snr told The National yesterday that they would have to pay a registration fee of K400,000 once the bid was approved. “The most important thing for us to do now is to raise as much money as possible,” he said.
The team intend to revive schoolboys’ rugby league in the area and competitions in Wewak.
They said they would also sponsor players to undergo studies at higher-learning institutions and teach them vocational skills. “I am appealing to all Sepiks in PNG and around the world to support this cause,” the former Kumul captain said.
“But in order to make this work, we need money. I can guarantee that we will be accountable, we will produce quarterly reports and give them to all our stakeholders.”
For the bid to be successful, one of requirements is a home ground with facilities that meet the PNGNRLC standards.
“K300,000 has been committed and our facilities are nearing completion,” Wagambie said.
The construction of the facilities at Wewak’s Pora Oval is funded by the East Sepik government. A fundraising dinner will be held from 6pm to 10.30pm in Port Moresby on October 17.