Tkatchenko optimistic for league in 2016

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, January 17, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THOSE were the words from the Minister for Sport Justin Tkatchenko when referring to the outlook for rugby league in the New Year in light of recent criticisms aimed at the sport in recent weeks.

He said that he was looking forward to the 2016 rugby league calendar, in light of the ever improving performances of the SP hunters team and the looming 2017 Rugby League World Cup to be co-hosted in Port Moresby.

“With the Kumuls, yes we might not be number one, but we can’t expect the Kumuls to be number one in three years. It is impossible. We have a plan, and that plan is to the lead up to the world cup in 2017 right here in Port Moresby,” Minister Tkatchenko said.

“We inherited the Kumuls when they were absolutely nothing, down and out. We had to start the Kumuls all over again.”

“From the training, to the staff and give them those young future stars, up and going through the Hunters and through the junior rugby league program.”

He pointed out that the results would not happen overnight unless all stakeholders work together to make it happen.

“I am looking forward to the 2016 season, backing the Hunters all the way so they can not only represent the country, but can represent those that support rugby league and all their fans, their supporters in Queensland Australia and this time lets go for gold and win the Intrust Super Cup in 2016.”

“We came very close last year, so I can’t see why we can’t do it again.”

The minister also made reference to talk of too much funding being spent in the sport being a shared commitment over a three year period to rebuild the national sport.

“Rugby league doesn’t have that much funding as everybody thinks. Yes we have pumped in it over three years. Probably close to K10 million in the 3 years, that is through the National Gaming Board and through the National Government, but the rest of the funding comes from the private sector.”

“SP brewery major sponsor nearly K2 million a year for the hunters and to rugby league as a whole. We must get the balance right here and we have got it right. We have got a national sport that most Papua New Guineans support.”

“We have got a career path for rugby league players, the junior rugby league players they have got a career path to be a Hunter or a Kumul. That wasn’t there before.”

“Now look at what we have created because our national sport is now well run, well organized and well managed.”