Education and Finance Minister, James Marape, has condemned spectator violence at PRL, saying Rugby League is a national sport and not a tribal competition.
Minister Marape was referring tothe match between Vipers and Mioks, where supporters threw objects ontothe field, forcingthe match referee to bringthe game to a halt.
The major semi-final playoffs, between Vipers and Mioks didn’trsquo;t go down well with Mioks supporters inthe second half ofthe match.
Vipers defeatedthe visiting Mioks 28-16, to advance tothe preliminary finals against defending premieres, Rabaul Gurias.
Mioks supporters caused a scene throwing in bottles, stones and ther debris, puttingthe match referee and players’ safety at risk.
Referee Wayne Wool, calledthe game off but restartedthe match as soon asthe situation was brought under control, by PRL board member Dr James Naipao anPNGNRL General Manager Hubert Warupi.
Minister Marape was among spectators and withnessedthe brawl and behaviour among supporters.
He spoke out in a statementosayingthe competition is not determined by intimidation and violence to scare opponents, rther orchestrated through skills inthe respective game plan.
Minister Marape’said common sense must prevail, that in every game, only one winner reigns.
On a more positive note, a group of like-minded people spearheaded by Executive Director Adam Everill are pushing forwardthe message of Rugby League against Violence.
19 participants were involved in a Port Moresby workshop recently, and Rugby League was chosen as a vehicle to stop all forms of violence in PNG
The ‘Trupla mahn’, campaign is one ofthe initiatives carrlied out bythe organization, using League heroes such Paul Aiton and Nathan Beacklock to deliverthe message.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=eWaylzR5uxI%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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