The Tourism Promotion Authority on Tuesday showed their commitment to both Men and Women’s PNG National Rugby League Teams by presenting a cheque of K250, 000 to the Papua New Guinea Rugby League Chair, Mr. Stanley Hondina.
This will be put towards the Kumuls and Orchids efforts in their World Cup campaign this year. Mr. Hondina stated that he was happy for the TPA to show their support in the sport. He added that it was also a great avenue to promote the country in terms of tourism on the world stage.
“I am very happy to come here today to announce the support of our very own government organization, the TPA, coming behind to support the sport,” he said.
He added that conversations he had with the TPA was along the lines of sport tourism, stating that tourism has different forms and states.
“We did the sports policy launch two months ago when Minister Don Polye was appointed the sports minister and there was a figure that really blew me out when the Sports Foundation CEO Albert Veratau was going through his report and stated that $220 million Fiji dollars (PGK3,3 billion) was money coming in from sports,” he said.
He stated that it showed them that sports diplomacy and sports tourism is something they can work on to.
“I am very happy at this juncture to have come out with this partnership,” Hondina said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Promotion Authority, Eric Mossman while presenting the cheque to Mr. Hondina stated that he was also happy with the juncture that the TPA and PNGRFL have come up with.
“It was a last-minute call but we saw that it was an important strategic partnership between the TPA and PNGRFL and we believe it will go a long way because rugby league is the number one sport in the country,” Mossman said.
He added that with the likes of PNG athletes playing overseas are carrying our flag and promoting our beautiful country worldwide.