Kerowagi rugby league affiliates with PNGRFL

The dream of Kerowagi District to participate in a properly coordinated rugby league has become a reality through the successful affiliation with Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League [PNGRFL].

Friday marked a significant event for Kerowagi league as the Joint official kick-off of was officiated by the Vice Minister for Sports, Sam Basil Jnr, Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili and local MP Francis Kikin Siune.

The Kerowagi MP Kikin told his people that the local league is now an official sanctioned competition and would be benefiting from PNGRFL programs.

"The government is here to give a push, creating avenue to market raw talents and produce more players to semi-professional and professional leagues," Kikin said.

Mr Siune urged the administrators to ensure proper management of the competition in a professional and coordially way to provide condusive avenues for participating teams.

Meanwhile, the Vice Minister for Sports Basil Jnr said the current government has prioritized the development of rugby league as a special intervention program under GoPNG and this affiliation was a step forward.

He said sports unifies people across cultural differences and its significance was enormous.

"Rugby is not just a sport, its a Culture, a weapon for Change and pathway for prosperity." Jnr Basil said.

"Youth as Catalysts for Change as youths comprising approximately 80% of our population, we are presented with a demographic dividend that, if harnessed effectively, can drive transformative change."

"Rugby league serves as a powerful tool to engage our young people, instilling discipline, teamwork, a sense of purpose and pride," Basil Jr said.