Shot in the arm
The National, Friday 07th December, 2012
By LESLIE OMARO
RUGBY league development in Papua New Guinea received a major boost following an injection of A$4 million (K8.6 mil) from the Australian government funded rugby league programme.
The announcement was made by Australian parliamentary secretary for Pacific Island Affairs and Foreign Affairs Richard Marles in Port Moresby yesterday.
Marles’ announcement followed the conclusion of the PNG-Australia ministerial forum where it was agreed the Australian government would help fund PNG’s rugby development programmes.
PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato and his Australian counterpart, Bob Carr, acknowledged the positive contribution to development that sports initiatives made.
They welcomed the new programmes, which would be rolled out next year under the Pacific sports partnership.
“The $4 million allocated will support rugby league in PNG as it was set aside in 2009 but we will be able to do it now,” Marles said.
He said 80,000 children in 55 schools would take part in the three-year project, which would be implemented in the National Capital District, Eastern Highlands and East New Britain provinces.
Marles also said the Australian government was supporting the PNG NRL Bid ands as their show of support all the ministers present at the ministerial forum yesterday wore a black, red and yellow stripped neck tie.
PNG Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko welcomed the good news, saying the support from the Australian government was a win-win situation for both countries.
“This is wonderful news for rugby league and AFL development in the country.
“The Australian government has backed our government and it’s a win situation.
“We have also faced brick wall after brick wall situation and the support from Australia will help us bring a team in (the NRL).
Tkatchenko added that as part of the commitment to putting a team in NRL, a PNG team would take part in the 2014 Queensland Cup.
“That’s the main object and what we are looking forward to and the message to NRL wake up and talk to us because we both can benefit from this,” he said.