Bougainville to revive rugby league

Famous for producing top boxers and rugby union players, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is now moving into the national sport or rugby league.

Rugby league is now being introduced widely to schools throughout the region by NRL Australia in PNG under the League Bilong Laif (LBL) program.

The program works with schools in the four regions of PNG using rugby league as a tool to support education outcomes.

Development officer Kenneth Kenevi says his team of three staff has done well to bring back the interest of the sport after the Bougainville Crises.

Since the program’s inception at Bougainville in March 2015, they have had about 30 schools involved.

Kenevi says it has been a bit of a challenge but it’s turning out to be good as the children have the passion of playing the code, having rugby league in the blood.

“There are a lot of codes played in Bougainville and it was interesting to have rugby league introduced for the first time after the Bougainville Crises.

“The reaction and feedback from the people has been very good and that has given us confidence and the boost to move forward.

“Introducing league again to this generation after the Bougainville crises is also part of the rehabilitation process for the people,” said Kenevi.

Kenevi is privileged to be part of the PNG NRL team in the region contributing in terms of sports and education as well.

Some of PNG’s most exciting Kumuls included the strapping Joe Katsir who mesmerised the opposition with his lightening speed and step and  was an wonder to watch. The other was Kumul lock forward Bernard Waketsi, a player who performed with a passion and commitment whether it was for club Paga Panthers, or country. He was a workerholic and an 80 minutes player who was tactical, tough and tenacious and was a wonder to watch in action.There were many more.

Author: 
Quintina Naime