Granty
09-04-2006, 08:25 AM
http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=1586
League Legends Set PNG Abuzz
Courtesy of The National
By Zachery Per
THREE Queensland State of Origin and Australian rugby league legends yesterday received a rousing welcome at the Goroka airport.
Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Gene Miles flew into Goroka after their visit to Mt Hagen on a fundraising drive to help fence the Kagamuga Showgrounds grounds in preparation for the SP Cup competition this year.
However, the fourth member of the party, Trevor Gillmeister returned to Port Moresby from Mt Hagen and was not with them.
Among enthusiastic rugby league fanatics that greeted the trio was Eastern Highlands Governor Malcom Smith-Kela, who volunteered to drive them around the Eastern Highlands capital for a brief tour.
A group of traditionally attired girls from Goroka were also at the airport to present the trio with Goroka bilum hats and string bags.
Some of the local women at the airport were heard saying “Yu dispela man, mi save lukim long TV ya, (You are the man I normally see on television),” when referring to Mal Meninga.
Meanwhile, Smith-Kela welcomed the former rugby league greats into Goroka and fully supported their determination to promote sports in PNG.
He said sports had been creating bonds between diverse tribal groups in the province.
“I support the contribution of Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Gene Miles and Trevor Gillmeister not only to promote sports but also to fight HIV/AIDS in the country,” Smith-Kela said.
He drove them around Goroka town and hosted a dinner for them in the evening.
The former rugby league greats will meet sports officials at the National Sports Institute (NSI) and PNG Sports Commission (PNGSC) to discuss a 12-month pilot project to use sports as a medium to promote unity, to educate people on HIV/AIDS and violence against women.
The trio will leave Goroka for Port Moresby this afternoon.
League Legends Set PNG Abuzz
Courtesy of The National
By Zachery Per
THREE Queensland State of Origin and Australian rugby league legends yesterday received a rousing welcome at the Goroka airport.
Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Gene Miles flew into Goroka after their visit to Mt Hagen on a fundraising drive to help fence the Kagamuga Showgrounds grounds in preparation for the SP Cup competition this year.
However, the fourth member of the party, Trevor Gillmeister returned to Port Moresby from Mt Hagen and was not with them.
Among enthusiastic rugby league fanatics that greeted the trio was Eastern Highlands Governor Malcom Smith-Kela, who volunteered to drive them around the Eastern Highlands capital for a brief tour.
A group of traditionally attired girls from Goroka were also at the airport to present the trio with Goroka bilum hats and string bags.
Some of the local women at the airport were heard saying “Yu dispela man, mi save lukim long TV ya, (You are the man I normally see on television),” when referring to Mal Meninga.
Meanwhile, Smith-Kela welcomed the former rugby league greats into Goroka and fully supported their determination to promote sports in PNG.
He said sports had been creating bonds between diverse tribal groups in the province.
“I support the contribution of Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Gene Miles and Trevor Gillmeister not only to promote sports but also to fight HIV/AIDS in the country,” Smith-Kela said.
He drove them around Goroka town and hosted a dinner for them in the evening.
The former rugby league greats will meet sports officials at the National Sports Institute (NSI) and PNG Sports Commission (PNGSC) to discuss a 12-month pilot project to use sports as a medium to promote unity, to educate people on HIV/AIDS and violence against women.
The trio will leave Goroka for Port Moresby this afternoon.