By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU
SPORTS are the most powerful tools that can create a positive impact in the lives of the ever-increasing young population in the country.
When young population, especially youths involve themselves in sporting activities, they forgo other social activities that are detrimental to their lives.
Four Mile Cats Rugby League Club that situated within the Four Mile area of Boroko in the National Capital District drives this agenda.
It is one of the oldest teams around Boroko, and is unique in itself this time around.
The team is now boosted by some of the former Digicel Cup and Hunters players like Team Manager, Steven Jones, Coach Atte Bina Wabo, including PNG Orchids player Janet who is assisting husband Jones in the team manager role and also the likes of President, Jerry John Takowan who is an employer of the Department of Works and Highways.
Last weekend, Sunday Bulletin had an opportunity to interview the team management during the major playoffs for the first ever Blues and Maroons concept of the Hohola Off Season League.
This is what they have to say when interviewed by the reporter.
President Takowan who has been with the team since 2017, said he has seen greater changes from the youths.
He said in the past most of the youths engage themselves in petty crimes and other things like smoking drugs and alcohol but with their involvement in sports, the boys’ behavior has changed.
“Our main idea is to change our boys to ensure they put their mindset right so that they can take ownership of what they are doing with their lives.
“Like nowadays, many good youths get into drinking homebrew and smoke drugs and so forth and they destroy their future.
“For us, we try to get them and bring them together through sports, by allowing them to participate and try to bring some positive changes in their lives,” he said.
Takowan added that some of the boys have the potential but they don’t expose it.
“They misuse their potential and participate in drugs and alcohol activities but when we expose them through sports, many of them realize their potential in playing.
“We encourage them not to hide their potential because if they are not working, sports are one way they can make money,” he said.
Takowan said one of the biggest changes he has observed is that there is less trouble at the Boroko area because most of the boys are now taking part in playing rugby.
“They are engaging into sports and their mindset has changed where they concentrate to play sports rather than getting into petty crimes. Also, through sports, some have gone to attend churches while others are getting back to school,” he said.
As one of the oldest clubs, Four Mile Cats has produced many Digicel Club players and Kumul players in the likes of the Wabo brothers; Charlie and Atte Bina Wabo.
Team Manager and a former Port Moresby Vipers Captain, Mr. Steven Jones shared similar sediments.
Jones said he has seen bigger changes at the community level.
“In the last three years, I have seen and witnessed how rugby has changed the youths at the community level,” he said.
As a former captain of the Vipers and also been up there at that level of sports, Jones tries to do some of the things which he didn’t do to the players at the higher level.
He said he tries it with smaller clubs like this and one of his main aims as the Team Manager was to put player’s welfare as his number one priority.
“For the last ten years, what I learned at the top level as a player and seeing it from the management perspective, I thought it is about time I come and look after a team and mange it.
“So, for me as a Team Manager, I want to give it back to my players.
“When I was playing, the team management did not do that for me, so now I’m trying my best to make sure I use this to manage the boys well.
“So, if they want shoes, I buy their shoes or if they have social problems, I try to step in to assist.
“And that is why I want to support my players and their welfare of, and that is now priority number one,” he said.
Coach Wabo who is a former Hunter and a current Vipers Trainer shared similar sediments.
Wabo said he has given most of his services to the Vipers and this time around he thought of coming back and helping the players.
“I saw the need to give back to the youths like disciplining them, not only in rugby but in other areas so that they come out of drugs, home brew and other activities.
“So, we have come good so far,” he said.
Wabo said one of the bigger changes he has seen so far is when the players listen and follow instructions.
“Their commitment has changed when we asked them to get involved in community activities such as clean up during Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The only female who is in the team assisting husband Jones is Janet. She is also a PNG Orchids player.
Janet said she has seen the attitude of the players changed through rugby.
“There is a bigger change in the community. When it comes to weekend, they don’t drink and get involved in other unworthy activities but get committed because they know they are going to play,” she said.
With the Maroons and the Blues concept, the Four Mile Cats are in the semifinals with the other three teams but the games were disrupted by rain last weekend and hopefully, it will continue this weekend.
