The Pepsi-Moni Plus Capital Rugby Union (CRU) competition has officially launched its 2024 season on Wednesday night, April 24th, at KPMG building in Downtown, Port Moresby.
The event was graced by CRU President, Kori Chan and his executives, including sponsors, invited and distinguished guests, as well as players and media personnel.
A few changes have been made in the competition, with the exclusion of Defence club and inclusion of Kone Sharks after some years. With the exception of Defence team, the teams who participated in last season will contend again for supremacy this year.
Also, for the first time, CRU will have a standalone women’s competition this year, which will run side-by-side with the men’s competition. This has never been done before, which is good news for the women’s game.
“Women’s rugby is a huge opportunity for PNG. I think if we want to break it onto the world stage, that’s probably the quickest entry point,” Chan said.
“We have a lot of challenges with our female athletes around the country, but we need to get them into a proper system and pathway to develop the women’s game.”
Interestingly, all the clubs have secured full sponsorship backing from the business houses this season. It’s a bonus for the participating clubs, let alone CRU.
With the massive corporate sponsorship, the CRU competition promises to deliver a bigger, better and entertaining 2024 season.
President Chan expressed his gratitude to the sponsors and gave them an assurance to use the allocated funds wisely and transparently to grow the code in the city.
“I would like to thank our naming rights sponsors – Pepsi (CRU Sponsor); Moni Plus (Junior Rugby Sponsor); Niu Power (CRUW Sponsor); and Vodafone (Representative Teams Sponsor). Not forgetting other sponsors who have come on board to back CRU competition in the 2024 season,” Chan expressed.
“We will be accountable to every money and spend accordingly for its intended purpose to develop and grow the game. The money will be put to good use.”
Mr. Chan further acknowledged the participating teams for their continuous partnership and collaboration to improve the sport and compete professionally.
“I want to recognize our clubs. Without them, the CRU competition will not exist. I know they have been working hard in the background and I’m setting a standard for them that they all have to follow and meet,” Chan said.
“In order for them to grow and be better clubs like the University Piggies and Brothers, they need to make sure that they got their governance and administration right.”
Meanwhile, round 1 of the Pepsi-Moni Plus CRU competition will kick off on Saturday, April 27th, at Bava Park in Port Moresby.
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