Sports Minister, Justin Tkatchenko stepped in at the eleventh hour with 200 000 kina today for the Federations of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) Cup.
Tkatchenko intervened after desperate pleas from the PNG Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) on the eve of the Oceania Rugby Nation’s Cup which starts tomorrow.
And he expressed disappointment at the PNGRFU’s preparations towards running the event.
“This tournament is about our standing on the regional and world stage in Rugby Union, and the PNGRFU cannot afford to show false cause and leisurely go about its preparations as has clearly been the case."
“As a government, we are willing to help but we cannot do that if we are not aware of plans, programmes and their goals just like this tournament.”
“What has transpired is the inefficiency and incompetency of the current executive. The welfare of the players and the game are our concern and if the PNGRFU as the stakeholder cannot do the right thing by them, that is a great concern,” said Tkatchenko.
Of the funding, 150 000 will go towards Television Broadcast and live streaming on the International Rugby Board (IRB) site.
50 000 kina will take care of the accommodation for the three visiting countries- American Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tahiti.