PNG Chiefs unveil K200m Village

Airways residents and suite will accommodate PNG Chiefs franchise *(Image: Mol Mube)*

The Papua New Guinea Chiefs have secured a K200 million residential Players Village at Airways, as part of major infrastructure preparations in the countdown to the club’s 2028 entry into the National Rugby League [NRL].

A groundbreaking ceremony held today at the site officially launched the development of the C9 Apartment Residences, which will serve as the long-term home for players, staff, and their families.

The project, delivered by the Constantino Group of Companies, features 80 international-standard units, with 67 dedicated exclusively to the PNG Chiefs franchise.

PNG Chiefs Chief Executive Officer Lorna McPherson said the partnership with the family-owned Constantino Group was a strategic alignment of values focused on excellence and nation-building.

"The village will offer safe, secure, and family-centered accommodation," McPherson said.

"It builds around the values that matter most outside of football, which is community, stability, and belonging. We want our team to feel that."

The fully furnished mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments is expected to be completed by November 2027, well ahead of the club’s debut season.

Under the agreement, players and their families will have access to world-class facilities at Airways, including gyms, pools, and medical services, as well as the Loloata Island Resort for rest and recovery.

Groundbreaking ceremony today marks the start of the construction of the Chiefs village in Port Moresby *(Image: Mol Mube)*

"This partnership is more than just accommodation; it’s an investment in people and the long-term success of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs," McPherson said.

Sports Minister Kinoka Feo, who attended the ceremony, said the project was part of a broader strategy to ensure the capital city is ready for the international attention that comes with the NRL.

"Important work is already being undertaken across the city by NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Moresby South MP Justin Tkachenko alongside many other partners," Minister Feo said.

"Today’s groundbreaking represents only the beginning. In the months ahead, we will see further investments in facilities, infrastructure, and programs."

Constantino Group Chairman George Constantino confirmed the investment is valued at approximately K200 million.

"Having somewhere that we can call home is instrumental for our quality of life," Constantino said.

"We look forward to welcoming the players, staff, and families of the PNG Chiefs to Port Moresby."

The C9 development represents the latest expansion of the Constantino Group’s portfolio and is designed to meet the high-performance standards required for an elite professional sporting franchise.