Rugby, football called out

NATIONAL Capital District governor Powes Parkop has called on sporting codes to employ good governance and strategic planning to avoid continuously embarrassing the country.
He urged rugby union and football to plan well given their recent dismal performances on the regional and international stage, which he said had caused concern and ridicule for the country.
Parkop said he asked the Prime Minister James Marape to appoint a minister specific to Sports as it has a major influence on the youth and needs serious focus.
“Between 2012 to 2017, we made a lot of progress in sports due to the existence of a standalone sports ministry,” Parkop said.
“Since 2017, we have diluted the power and potential for sports as a powerful tool for development and nation-building by mixing that ministry with other portfolios.”
He said PNG Rugby and PNG Football Association should be held accountable so they do not continue with this unprepared approach.
“Not getting the basics right only gives us these types of outcomes. Just like rugby union, soccer, and most other codes, we have not got the basics right and yet expect greater results,” Parkop said.
“Other countries in Oceania are not waiting for PNG to get its act together. They are investing their time, energy, and resources into their codes, and the results speak for themselves.
“They are getting the basics right. PNG is still living in the past, doing the same thing and expecting different outcomes.”
He said being defeated by Fiji 5-1 and thrashed 11-0 by Samoa in the Women’s Under-16 were serious causes for concern. He called on the PNG Sports Foundation to intervene and assist where appropriate.
“The huge margins are a clear signal that something is not right, and it is not with the players but with the management of football,” Parkop said.
“In addition to addressing the governance and management issues, sports have successfully been used to harness change, especially among young people. Sports programmes have been implemented to combat youth crime, improve health, and foster social inclusion.”