Telikom tightens grip on Kumuls’ naming rights

TELIKOM  PNG Limited continued its sponsorship for rugby league in PNG, this time pumping in K300,000 to maintain its naming rights over the PNG Telikom Kumuls, as PNG’s rugby league team focus on its clashes against the Australia Prime Minister’s 13 on Sept 27 and Pacific Cup challenge in October.
When handing over the mock cheque for the amount to the directors of the PNG Rugby Football League, Telikom PNG chief executive officer Peter Loko stated that the nationally-owned telecommunication company was proud to reaffirm its backing of the national rugby league team.
Loko said yesterday’s announcement indicated the commitment from Telikom to PNGRFL to support the country’s the game that is has many followers around the country.
“Telikom’s current commitment extends to 2012 as the naming rights sponsor for the Kumuls, and we look forward to supporting the Kumuls to the next Rugby League World Cup challenge in 2013,” Loko said.
PNGRFL director Ivan Ravu commended Telikom for their continued support since 2007 and funding from the telecommunications company would go a long way in preparing the Kumuls for next month’s game and the SP Pacific Cup later in October.
“PNGRFL is grateful for the huge support and rugby league is a uniting sport and the benefits of the game in one way or another will go to all  parties’ involved,” Ravu said.
According to Ravu selectors will be working on their selections before the first hit out against the Australian Prime Minister 13.
He added that PNG players in Australia’s NRL competition, Neville Costigan, Paul Aiton, David Mead and other PNG players in United Kingdom could be considered for selection in the Pacific Cup and Prime Ministers 13 challenge.
But, this would only depend on the release from their respective clubs they are playing for representative duties.