Douglas Tomuriesa, Pope Francis and James Marape

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  Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa said he is disappointed and embarrassed over the way His Holiness Pope Francis was treated by Prime Minister James Marape over the last three-days during the Papal visit, and the lack of courtesy and respect shown by the Prime Minister. He said the Prime Minister continuously declares PNG as a ‘Christian country’ and prides himself on being a religious individual but he was surprised when the Pope was continuously snubbed by the PM over the weekend since the Pope’s arrival on Friday. “The Pope is the head of the Catholic church, the largest Christian church in the world and he is also a head of state. “PNG not only being a Christian country, but a country that prides itself as a ‘friend to all, enemy to none’, the PM should be according the Pope with the highest level of respect,” Tomuriesa said. The Opposition Leader pointed out that on Friday, the Prime Minister did not welcome the Pope at the airport, a tradition he had accorded to many other wo
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Vipers youngsters impress in inaugural NGCB Cup season

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Sports

By MICHAEL PHILIP
PORT Moresby Vipers Academy coach Godfrey Luke says prop Thomas Mek and hooker Max Tonia continue to impress in their development as young rugby league players.
The pair were instrumental in the Moni Plus-sponsored Vipers’ 16-12 win over Moresby South Blacks in the inaugural Southern upper League National Gaming Control Board Cup grand final earlier this month.
The side also claimed the minor premiership in an impressive campaign that saw them finish the season unbeaten in the country’s second-tier rugby league competition.
“Both players are still young,” Luke told The National.
“Tonia and Mek turn 19 and 20 respectively this year.
“Physically, they are like David and Goliath.
“They are performing well, despite this being their first time in our development squad.
“Their attitude towards training and matches has been great.”
Luke said the pair deserved a call-up to the first-grade squad as they had shown maturity beyond their years.
“I am hoping that they make the SP Hunters squad in the future,” he said.
“Rookie Hunter Kingstimer Paraia made coach Matthew Church’s squad straight from our development group, so I don’t see why Tonia and Mek can’t match his rapid development and rise.
“The Hunters are looking for players below the age of 23 because Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) clubs are keen on recruiting younger players.
“So are we going to keep introducing 25-year-olds and 26-year-olds to the Digicel Cup?
“We need to change now.”
Luke said rugby league, like any sport, was all about bringing out the potential of athletes.
“I encourage players to work hard,” he said.
“The NRL is where the money is.
“It’s all about skills and passion for the game.
“Players need to produce their best football each week if they want to go places.”
Meanwhile, Luke congratulated Tonia for making the first-grade squad for their final trial match against Gulf Isou in Port Moresby over the weekend. Isou won 16-4.
The second trial match for the Vipers saw them defeat the Kerowagi Coffee Cup side 28-0.
The Vipers academy side last week announced the selection of Kerowagi back Timothy Andy to their development side with the back to train and play under the academy this year.

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Douglas Tomuriesa, Pope Francis and James Marape

-
Image
  Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa said he is disappointed and embarrassed over the way His Holiness Pope Francis was treated by Prime Minister James Marape over the last three-days during the Papal visit, and the lack of courtesy and respect shown by the Prime Minister. He said the Prime Minister continuously declares PNG as a ‘Christian country’ and prides himself on being a religious individual but he was surprised when the Pope was continuously snubbed by the PM over the weekend since the Pope’s arrival on Friday. “The Pope is the head of the Catholic church, the largest Christian church in the world and he is also a head of state. “PNG not only being a Christian country, but a country that prides itself as a ‘friend to all, enemy to none’, the PM should be according the Pope with the highest level of respect,” Tomuriesa said. The Opposition Leader pointed out that on Friday, the Prime Minister did not welcome the Pope at the airport, a tradition he had accorded to many other wo
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