By CHARLIE DUMAVI
PNGNRLC competition kicks off last weekend. – Pictured by CHARLIE DUMAVI
NATIONAL Capital District (NCD) Governor and Vipers rugby league club patron Hon Powes Pakop has challenged Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) franchises to look after their players’ welfare.
Pakop spoke during the PNGNRLC Digicel ExxonMobil sponsored season 2023 launched and said rugby league is like the heartbeat of the people, it brings people together and that is why government continues to support the code.
He emphasized the need for franchise managers and tournament managers to consider players’ welfare seriously.
“I want to challenge all the franchise owners, patrons and managements, let’s put all our effort and energies to take care of the players, get sponsors for them and let’s be more competitive,” Pakop said.
“We have to look after the game and more importantly we have to look after the players. It’s more than just a game it’s a business and we got to run it like a business. We can’t compromise and run it may be like after-hours activity and so on, we have to be professional. There’s no other way around it.”
He said Kumuls and Hunters can be better when change starts in PNGNRLC and that will happened when PNGNRLC management work in collaborations with franchise club which is already captured in the recently launched strategic plan 2023-2027.
Moreover, Mr. Pakop said Vipers rugby league club has over about 15 sponsors on board and that shows how serious the franchise is in taking care of their players. He said the club is also taking a huge step into biding to take part in the Australia News South Wales cup and that is the partway the club is looking at taking in the near future.
Furthermore, he also extended his support to work with PNGNRLC to kick start the semi-pro women’s rugby competition in the country.
