Sonk says it is not about the money
Investment in rugby league is for social development: KPHL boss
By PARKER TAMBUA
KUMUL Petroleum Holdings Limited’s (KPHL) investment in Papua New Guinea rugby league is not for profit but for social development, says managing director Wapu Sonk.
He said that during the State-owned entity’s announcement of a three-year, K5.5million sponsorship for the SP Hunters in Port Moresby earlier this month.
“We want to see players become better citizens and build a pathway to pursue their dream of playing professional rugby league,” Sonk said.
“Those are the dividends we want when we invest in rugby league.
“It is not really about the monetary terms. But it is the interest that we develop and the hope that we give to children who dream about making it into the Hunters system and (Australia’s) National Rugby League like (Melbourne Storm centre) Justin Olam and others who went on to play abroad through this pathway.
“Also through rugby league, they can educate themselves.
“The social impact of it will see young men and women become better citizens of our country.
“Personal and social development are the returns that come back to the country, that is what we want.”
Sonk said KPHL would continue to invest in rugby league and other community programmes.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said the sport’s national governing body would partner KPHL in rugby league and other initiatives.
“We commit to use the power of the game to bring social change and provide a positive impact in communities across PNG,” he said.
Meanwhile, PNGRFL said the sponsorship would help the Hunters relocate to Queensland, Australia, for next season in the Intrust Super Cup.
4 comments
Totally agree with Sonk.
Sports play a pivotal role in discipline. It is worth spending money on Sports.
We need citizens who care for themselves and others around them. This is what this country is lacking especially in the younger generations.
It shouldn’t be the money but the lives that should matter the most. In PNG, helping a lad is helping a long line of tribe.
Thank you MD Sonk for seeing what matters the most.
K5.5 million can be used to build 11x rural health centres (500K each) right around the country and prevent deaths from curable diseases as well as eliminate infant mortality.
I hope KPHL can invest the same amount of money or even more directly into improving basic health and education services in the rural areas of PNG.
Totally support Joel’s comments, only a few benefit from the funding. If it is a social obligation than fund the deteriorating Health infrastructure in the rural areas,that benefits most of the population..
I am supporter of Rugby League and do welcome the support of KPHL in terms of mid term funding of the Hunters. However, I also believe that the money could be better spent elsewhere here in the country to serve the millions here, rather than focus solely on 30 players (+administrators), to go and live/play on foreign soil for almost a year.
Why take a gamble on having 1 or 2 players out of 30 man playing group actually making it to the NRL, when we could help save thousands of lives by building better roads, health infrastructure, etc with public monies.
Sure it does build character and discipline and also gives the younger generation people and dreams to look up and aspire to, but what about the vast majority of us dying every day because of lack of better services?
In saying this, i thank KPHL once again for funding our national team in next years ISC and with the Hunters men all the best in the coming season, in 2021.
#Huntwantaim
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