Why rugby league lords it over the rest

The National Sports

THERE have been many questions raised by various national federations such as boxing, soccer and others following the recent announcement by Kumul Mineral Holdings of a K15 million sponsorship over the next five years to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL).
While these sports have strong points of argument, especially boxing who has been successful in regional events such as the Pacific Games, there deciding factors that tip the scales in favour of rugby league.
Rugby league is currently the most popular sport in PNG with a large fan following and widespread appeal across the country. There are several reasons why rugby league has dominated the sports landscape, often at the expense of other codes.

  • Historical legacy: Rugby league has a long history in PNG and was introduced during the Australian colonial rule in the 1930s. The sport has become deeply ingrained in our culture and has a strong emotional connection with the people. It’s quite fitting as well because one of the traditions of PNG is tribal warfare and our ancestors were known for their aggression and conflicts. Now tribal fighting is a negative and against the law and order but nevertheless occurs across the Highlands region especially. Rugby league is the nearest sport that resembles combat between two groups with aggression and physicality among its characteristics.
  • The success of the NRL and the sport: Simply look at the number of people across PNG who watch or follow Australia’s NRL games which are televised and when State of Origin Games are played. Even our athletes who play soccer or boxing and the game’s administrators will admit that they watch rugby league. Arguably, 95 per cent of rugby league followers in PNG don’t watch English Premier League (soccer) or international cricket but followers of these codes still watch rugby league whether it be local games or international matches. That is the power of rugby league.
  • Imperialism: We should also know the fact that Australian imperialism in PNG still exists through rugby league. PNG is the only country Australia colonised and the game we call national sport is something they left with us. We can challenge Australia in other sports but nothing will be sweeter than trying to beat the Kangaroos. It’s just like India getting true satisfaction when they beat England in cricket.
  • Unifying factor: The former Prime Ministers in late grand chief Sir Michael Somare, Peter O’Neill and the current PM James Marape always say, rugby league is a unifying force in Papua New Guinea, just as Nelson Mandela used rugby union to unify South Africa.
  • Transparency and accountability: PNGRFL is not perfect but compared to other sporting federations in PNG, rugby league’s governing body has been one of the most consistent organisations, along with cricket, that always gives reports/acquittals to their sponsors hence they have attracted more support. These sponsors see the commercial mileage and success they can get out of the sport.

While the Government supports other codes through various initiatives, funding and programmes, the overall attention and resources to rugby league are significantly higher due to its popularity, commercial success and historical significance.
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‘Pilai Bilong Yumi’ is our commentary column which provides a perspective on important issues and matters in PNG sports.