OFFICIALS at the University of Papua New Guinea say they hope a Nines tournament will help calm simmering tensions over alleged sexual harassment on campus.
The Port Moresby institution was the subject of national media attention last week when female students staged a protest over persistent harassment by what they described as a minority of male students. The protest was sparked by a student being groped by a gang of boys.
The previous weekend, a 12-team Nines tournament had kicked off at the university. Organisers decided to proceed with the finals at the end of last week under the banner of “Strong Men Take Ownership”.
“It was tough to come out and host the matches because we understand the frustration towards UPNG,” university rugby league president Wayne Wama told The National.
“But we had to take on the challenge to allow students to come out and enjoy themselves during the semester break.
“We are hosting our Nines tournament under the theme, ‘Strong Men Take Ownership’, because we believe rugby league, like any other sport, is based on discipline, so we want to promote that.
“We are not against the protest on campus by our ‘sisters’, we totally support them. It is our campus and we must take ownership of what is happening on campus.
“Under the theme, we want to assure everyone that the campus is safe. They can come and watch us play rugby league, and enjoy the environment here.”
Perhaps fittingly, the winning team went by the name of Open Campus United. They defeated he Drugons in Friday’s final. The tournament had included one team from the university’s medical wing and two from the Open College.
Video: Female student protest via Facebook. Main photo: Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation
