Challenges in Tabubil

By Rosalyn Albaniel, Post Courier

RUGBY Union is a code that is developing its roots in the mining township of Tabubil, Western Province.

And it is slowly making its mark, which for years has been dominated by rugby league.

It continues to be a big ask for the Tabubil Rugby Football Union Association (TRFU) president Kelly Kesawe and his executives which include Junior John Tomba (vice president), Heather Erwin (treasurer) and Israel Lingham (secretary)…but a task which they have taken head on.

Kesawe told visiting reporters over the weekend that the union tournaments, since the codes inception there, have been played during the league off-season and utilising interested players keen in maintaining their fitness levels.

He said with many being rugby league players, and lacking experience in this code, they have had to rely solely on raw talents identified not just in Tabubil but in Kiunga as well to represent Western Province.

This is for PNG Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) sanctioned tournaments, as well as the National Provincial Championships.

Nevertheless Kesawe said he and his executives have not allowed this to stop them in their efforts to drive and promote this sport in their home town.

He said last year, thanks to the generosity of their two biggest supporters and sponsors Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) and the Gazebo Club, they had been able to represent Western Province in several tournaments outside of Tabubil.

These include tournaments in Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns…all for charity mind you.

On the national scene in 2016, Kesawe said under his leadership the Tabubil Cats had participated in the Madang Sevens, and also the Export 7’s in Goroka, where the team went down in the Cup semi-finals.

In the NPC challenge in Port Moresby last October, the Cats made it to the Bowls finals where they went down to the Boromas.

“Unfortunately, we lost to them but it was a good experience for the boys. We are determined to attend all PNGRFU sanctioned games and NPC’s to build exposure and experience so in the future we can compete with bigger centers,” he said.

Meanwhile Kesawe said the Cats had suffered a set-back with the standing-down of OTML which had resulted in them losing some of their talents they had picked up.

But, that behind them their very own Pajawi 7’s is an event that they are looking forward to, that will get underway after Easter.

Source: Post Courier, January 17 2017

Link: https://postcourier.com.pg/challenges-in-tabubil/