Samberigi-Polopa Rugby League Revives

After a few years of being dormant, the Samberigi-Polopa Rugby League (SPRL) competition has been revived, following the registration and affiliation payment to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) office in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, recently.       

The Samberigi-Polopa Rugby League competition was established in 2019 and ran smoothly for a few years. However, the league ceased to exist for three years due to funding constraints and a lack of accountability from the former executives.  

Thankfully, the league has been officially affiliated with PNGRFL, and the new executives are racing against time to secure sponsorships from business houses, political leaders, or anyone willing to support the competition this year.

The preseason will kick off next Saturday (February 21st) at Samberigi’s Koiti Oval, Pawale village, featuring both men’s and women’s teams in a 9s competition. A total of 12 teams will be competing in the men’s and women’s divisions, with the proper season commencing in March and running through October. 

SPRL Secretary Charles Timereke stated that the new executives had worked hard to revive the competition, planning to correct the mistakes of the past, create opportunities for the youth, help them stay away from being involved in illegal activities, and unite the Samberigi-Polopa region.  

“We now have the new executives in place. We have successfully affiliated as Samberigi-Polopa Rugby League with PNGRFL and are sacrificing our time and resources to revive the League,” he said. 

“Because we see that our youths back at home are engaging in illegal activities, which is a big concern for our community back in the village, we can work side by side to eliminate such issues that are destroying our youths through this competition.

“We have revived the league to promote gender equality, unite the Samberigi-Polopa region, and put aside our political differences and land issues. We want to promote raw talents back in our village and create pathways for our local boys to have a chance to be selected to play for intercity clubs.” 

Mr. Timereke also conveyed his gratitude to Mata Topa and David Yanape for their support in assisting the league with balls, kicking tees, pump, whistle, watch, and other necessary equipment for the competition this year.  

“On behalf of the Samberigi-Polopa Rugby League executives, we would like to acknowledge these individuals who stepped in to support the development of our competition. Thank you very much from the SPRL executives. May our God continue to bless your heart in whatever you may pursue in the future,” he expressed.

The Samberigi-Polopa Rugby League competition is located in Samberigi, Kagua-Erave District, Southern Highlands Province. Walawe Besipu is the President, and Charles Timereke is the Secretary.

For further information and assistance, the SPLR executives can be reached through this email address: samberigipoloparugbyfootball@gmail.com