by Jeremy Mogi – EM TV Sports, Port Moresby
With the Pacific Games now over and the Bisini Sporting Complex unused, AFL PNG is amongst a growing number of codes expressing concern over the venue’s usage and the state of the grounds.
AFL remains one of the fastest growing sports in Papua New Guinea alongside cricket and football; and with an estimated 100,000 participants throughout the country in all levels of competition, can be considered one of the biggest as well.
Their development pathway has proven a success, with an academy and quality development officers who’ve guaranteed a constant flow of players up to senior and international ranks.
An issue however remains, and it is one that could jeopardise the future of the code; and that is land.
Prior to the Pacific Games and before the takeover by the PNG Sports Federation, AFL PNG shared both the Amini Park and Colts Grounds alongside Cricket PNG.
However, now they have found themselves excluded from the current land processes and are hoping for a positive outcome when they meet with both Cricket officials and the PNG Sports Foundation.
AFL PNG is not the only sporting organisation to query the grounds over Bisini.
Cricket PNG themselves have expressed some concern, as well as some in the Port Moresby Soccer fraternity and the PNG Rugby Football Union.
Legal implications could occur as a result, with these other sporting bodies raising the echoes of frustration.
Currently the grounds of the biggest sporting complex in the Pacific remain unused and with Port Moresby being the centre of sport in the country, poses a far bigger problem in terms of development and participation of sports.
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