BEN HARRIS | Touch Football Australia
THERE WAS PLENTY OF FLAIR and lots of smiles when Papua New Guinea played recently in the 2013 Australian National Touch League at Coffs Harbour.
This was the first time PNG had played at the NTLs and they competed in the mixed open division.
Touch football has been played in PNG for nearly 20 years.
PNG junior vice-president John Aidaboe said there was one reason for playing at Coffs Harbour.
“Developing our players,” he said. “So win or lose we will take something away to develop our team.
“We are planning to come here next year again and this time we will do a bit better and be better prepared because we will know what to expect.
“At the end of the day, we want to learn as much as possible.”
Touch is slowly building a strong reputation in the rugby league-loving country. It is mainly played in towns.
“The important thing about touch, like it is in Australia, it’s a family sport. It’s not professional, it’s more of a family game.”
“We are hoping to have an opens team at the World Cup.
“The NTLs is not the only tournament we will use to develop the players. There is Malaysia coming up, there are the Oceania Games coming up, which is part of the build-up to the World Cup.”
PNG has so many potential sportsmen and women. Sports like this keep young people off the streets and at least give them something worthwhile to do rather than stir up trouble.
With international travel, it helps to build up knowledge and experience about other cultures. And that's the beauty of it apart from the sport.
PNG should be proud of their players and give them all the support they want. All the best to all sportsmen and women, especially rugby .
Posted by: Annsli Kabekabe | 01 April 2013 at 02:01 PM
It is good to compete internationally to gain experience overseas. But let me air my view on issues that are encountering us citizens.
For some years, many sportsmen and women have been hand-picked to attend games. This is disgusting.
I suggest that right across the country there is such corruption.
No wonder they can't beat their opponents. You guys always pick those who live in POM, Lae and other major centres.
Posted by: Timothy Poroda | 25 March 2013 at 12:01 PM