Six governors back Meninga

 SIX governors have pledged their support for the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League’s acquisition of Australian legend Mal Men­inga, pictured, as coaching director of its Team Kumul high performance programme.

Enga Governor Peter Ipatas, NCD’s Powes Parkop, East New Britain’s Ereman ToBaining, Eastern Highlands Julie Soso, Gulf’s Havila Kavo and Central’s Kila Haoda affirmed their full backing in a meeting with Meninga and Kumuls coach Adrian Lam.

The meeting was organised by the PNGRFL interim board, with chairman Don Fox, and board members Boski Horta (NGI) and Gwaibo Mairi (Southern) present.

All six governors offered their congratulations to Sports, Pacific Games and National Events Minister Justin Tkatchenko for driving the government’s direction with rugby league and the national team.

Present and in support were Health Minister Michael Malabag, Works Minister and Imbongu MP Francis Awesa and Planning Secretary Dr Peter Kora.

“This is a very big job, besides Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the government’s support and recognition of this concept at the highest level, there is a great need for us all to work together to ensure that the Team Kumul concept does bring home the results,” Tkatchenko said.

Meninga and Lam took the opportunity to ‘spell out’ what the concept was all about, and their immediate goals and objectives.

“I’ve said that PNG is the sleeping giant of the rugby league world and it is, and hopefully we can bring out the best in the abundance of talent that exists in the country through Team Kumul,” Meninga said.

“For too long we have had to prepare teams in a short space of time, without properly ensuring that they have what they need, it is about being professional, we were ranked around the fourth mark and we’ve dropped to six, other countries have surpassed us and a lot of it has to do with our administration and our professionalism,” Fox said.

Ipatas and Parkop expressed belief in the concept.

“Today’s announcement is a coup for our country and all over the rugby league world,” Parkop said.

“We are making a very big state­ment, this will give us leverage, it will unite our nation.

“Acquiring someone of Mal’s calibre has been a dream since I became governor, it’s one step for us into Queensland Cup already and then the NRL,” Parkop said.

“Your name on the line already means a lot for rugby league,” Ipatas said in reference to Meninga’s signature.

“We want to move rugby league and our Kumuls to the next level and this is the way to go,” ToBaining said.

 “It is a challenge to all provinces, and we must move with it for the better.”