The Goilala Rugby League 9s tournament has attracted over 20 teams and is set to run from January 22-25, in Port Moresby despite challenges.
Tournament director Steven Kava Francis said the inaugural tournament will only have open men’s division.
“We have over 20 teams registered, we will start with open men’s and we should have other divisions next year,” Francis said.
He said they are unable to host the tournament at Kone field just outside Sir Hubert Murray Stadium due to wet season and waterlog on the field.
“We want to pump out the water but we do not have equipment to do so. Therefore, we are working around the clock to secure a venue to host the tournament,” Francis said.
He said there are teams from Goilala district that have already traveled into Port Moresby and he is also calling on individuals to come forward and assist them in whatever way possible.
Francis expressed the idea behind bringing the game into Port Moresby, which is to create a central avenue where all Goilalas living around Port Moresby and those interested teams in the Goilala district can travel into Port Moresby to take part in the tournament.
He said majority of Goilalas live in and around the city and the tournament will bring them together and maybe help them change some of their attitudes.
He also pointed out that currently there is no player of Goilala origin playing in the Central Dabaris, a team that represents the province in the top rugby league competition in the country.
Therefore, such initiatives will give opportunity for talented players to be discovered.
“Rugby league is a sport that many youths back in Goilala are interested however there is no competition running consistently for the players to play,” Francis said.
This initiative as well as the Goilala Rugby league 13’s is an effort for us to find talent. Currently in Dabaris and other franchises, there is no Goilala playing so we need to expose talents, the Goilala people are also talented rugby players.”
He said it is a huge task to start something new but the 9s tournament will act as a pre-season into their season 2026 that will follow after.
