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Date Posted: 25 July, 2013Southern Zone PNGRFL Trials Receive Tanks
The Southern Zone Rugby League trials received a timely boost with KK Kingston coming on board with the donation of two Tuffa water tanks for the event.
To receive the donation on behalf of the Southern Zone organizing committee was PNGRLF Southern Zone Director, Gwaibo Mairi. Mr. Mairi was grateful for the donation and thanked KK Kingston for supporting the rugby league event: “KK Kingston has donated a much needed provision for the games. With over 350 participants playing over the 4 days at the zone trials, water was going to a logistical focus point but that burden has now been put to rest.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have had overwhelming support from various business houses, which have also made the organizing of the Southern Zone trials possible. I’d like to especially thank Coca Cola Amatil, SP Brewery and KK Kingston for their fantastic support of the event.” Southern Region Governors Kila Haoda (Central), Gary Juffa (Oro), Ati Wabiro (Western) and Powes Parkop (NCD) have all provided K10,000 towards the championships with the Minister for Sport Hon. Justin Tkatchenko contributing K40,000 from the Sports Enhancement fund. The Provincial Governments & Minister recognize the importance of the Zone Championships to the people of Southern region and we welcome their support of this event.”
Mr. Mairi went on to briefly highlight the significance of the Southern Zone trials: “The Southern Zone trial and the overall National Zone Championships was part of an old concept in which rural based players had a pathway in which to play and be considered for higher representative honours. This year the PNGRFL has revived this pathway to ensure that all the leagues around the country, including those in the Southern Region have an avenue in which their local players that are not part of any Digicel Cup franchise can showcase their footy talent to the National Selectors who will be present at all the Zone and National Championship events. The PNGRFL are contributing significantly and giving back to the leagues by funding K25,000 per Zone Championship and covering the entire cost of the National Championships in September. This is a new era for the PNGRFL and the new Board is dedicated to getting rugby league back on track and we are looking forward to discovering new Rugby League talent in the region.”
The opening ceremony will be held at 9am Monday 29th July 2013 with all southern zone provincial governors and the Honorable Minister for Sport Justin Tkatchenko and his Vice Minister Labi Amaui to kick off the opening game at 10am.
IMAGE CAPTION: PNGRLF Southern Zone Director, Gwaibo Mairi receives tanks from KK Kingston's Marketing Manager, Christopher Elphick