World Cup tours PNG

Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE WOMEN’S Rugby Union World Cup trophy is touring Papua New Guinea as part of an effort to promote the game in the country.
The silverware was on display at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday after its arrival from New Zealand on Monday.
Rugby World Cup Pacific ambassador Chantal Bakersmith said the trophy tour was sponsored by the New Zealand High Commission to PNG.
“As part of the Rugby World Cup promotion, which will be happening in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in October, the trophy is touring five countries in the Pacific and PNG is the first,” she said.
“After PNG, the trophy will head back to New Zealand on Friday before it goes to Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
“The purpose of the tour is to promote the Rugby World Cup across the pacific and most importantly to show women and girls in PNG and the Pacific that they can do anything.
“The theme for this tour is ‘unstoppable’.
“We want to show that we as women can do things that we weren’t traditionally able to do.
“The point is we can do all things now, we can play professional rugby. We want to inspire young women to keep playing.
“They may play for this trophy one day. We want also work with PNG Rugby Union (PNGRU) in developing the game, and share ideas with them.” The trophy will leave today for Lae where it will be on display with a few exhibition games expected.
PNGRU president Paul Siwi thanked the New Zealand Government and New Zealand Rugby Union for the tour.
New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG, Phillip Taula also attended the trophy display in Port Moresby on Monday.