By LIMS MIRUPASI
ONE of the prominent sons of Ialibu-Pangia, Roxon Undi, has assured the Utame Rugby League management team that he will assist the league to be affiliated with Papua New Guinea National Rugby League (PNGNRL).
Undi gave the assurance while speaking to the league management and participating teams at Tiri village on Saturday, Jan 23.
He was there upon invitation by the League Management to officiate the Grand Final Competitions with presentation of trophies including cash prize monies to the winning teams of both A Grade and B Grade including runner-up teams respectively.
Undi said he will assist the Utame League to affiliate to PNGNRL so that players can get more exposure through sanctioned by PNGNRL games.
He told them to work with former Mendi Museums stalwart Paul Yandawai to get the papers done as soon as possible for the worthy cause.
The A Grade grand final competition that was supposed to be played between Utame Hawks and Mambu Eels did not eventuate due to the other team mourning for a death.
Undi however went ahead and presented the trophies and rugby balls worth K2,000 and K8,000 cash prize money to be distributed amongst the winning teams as well as six other teams that took part in 2020 season.
It is understood the competition is expected to be played at a later date to be fixed by the league management.
Undi further told the team officials and supporters of both teams (Utame Hawks and Mambu Eels) to be good ambassadors of the Siwi region and excel high with discipline and commitment.
He also visited Kirane Rugby League players and officials the same day and made the same commitment.
The league President Rims Buckley on behalf of the league officials and players thanked Undi for the timely visit to the Utame area.
“We are people living in this part of the world but have been neglected for many years and we welcome your visit with our hearts.”
Meanwhile, Undi walked from Paware to Tiri Village on a road that was initiated by his Late father Chief Undi Nandi when he was the then Provincial Member of Assembly representing the people of Kewabi Constituency in the Ialibu-Pangia Electorate during the 70’s.
The road if it was completed would be by now serving almost 13,000 people from the Siwi area but past and current leaders of Ialibu-Pangia have left these people stranded without a better road.
It was a sad moment for the people of Utame community when the son of the man that brought light to them in the 70’s set foot and walked through the track his father built at that time.
Undi told them, “I came here to witness Rugby League final and also to experience and see for myself the state of the infrastructures that were built by my father.”
“But it’s heart-breaking and sad to see all these has disappeared and deteriorated beyond human use,” he said.
Tiri Village is located in Siwi Utame area of Kewabi LLG of Ialibu Pangia.
