Tsiamalili calls for rugby reform

Former Papua New Guinea rugby representative Peter Tsiamalili Jnr has called for stronger administration and accountability in rugby union.

The Works and Highways Minister and Bougainville Regional MP made the comments while attending the Rosso Trans Highway Sevens in Lae.

Tsiamalili alleges that poor administration and personal interests have affected the code over the past decade.

“The code has suffered because of bad administration and that has caused this sport to go to the lowest it has been,” Tsiamalili Jnr said.

“There is so much opportunity but because of self greed and self interest over rugby union, it has caused rugby union to drop.”

He also questioned the accountability of K10 million that was provided to PNG Rugby through Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited.

“PNG Rugby has to respond to the government on the K10 million that was provided to them by KPHL, a few years back” he added.

“That has been one of the biggest hurdle that they haven’t been able to come clear on.”

Tsiamalili Jar said rugby also needs a clearer pathway for young players to progress from local competitions to national representation.

“Now we are just playing tournaments but there is no clear pathway for players for representation because we are suspended by Oceania Rugby.”

He warned that without such opportunities, talented players have been moving to other sporting codes.

“The other code (rugby league) now promises them that there is a pathway to get to the PNG Chiefs,” he said

The former national representative said rugby still has significant potential and urged administrators to put the code in order.