A partnership between NCD and Southern Highlands Province has seen the birth of the SHP Hope Cup Rugby League challenge which gets underway this weekend starting Friday in Mendi.
“To bring peace, harmony and unity to our people in Mendi, Southern Highlands Province is the main purpose of the SHP Hope Cup,” said NCD Governor Powes Parkop whilst giving an update on the event this week.
Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers and Motu-Koita Lakatois are two teams from Port Moresby who will grace the three-day challenge with their participation in Mendi.
To be held this weekend from the 22nd – 24th January, the SHP Hope Cup is an initiative between NCD governor Powes Parkop and SHP Governor William Powi that started in 2019.
“It is a partnership that NCD has with the Southern Highlands
“It was scheduled to happening during last Christmas and New Year but due to the Political Impasse and the passing of our former PM, it did not eventuate,” said Governor Parkop.
“However we are happy that this one-off game is finally happening this weekend in Mendi.”
According to Parkop, this initiative is not just for SHP but is rather a platform to promote peace in the area.
“Rugby League is a powerful platform in the country and what better way than to use it to promote important virtues to our people in Mendi and also the entire nation,” he said.
The main rugby match will be held on Sunday, which will see matches between the Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers, the PRK Mendi Muruks, the Motu-Koita Lakatois and other local teams in the Province and region.