Madang Province is proud to host the Kandes Rugby League 9s Tournament at the Ron Albert Oval with 40 teams from across Papua New Guinea (PNG) competing for massive amounts of prize money.

The tournament, which commenced on Monday 8th December, will run throughout the week and finishing off with the grand finals scheduled for Saturday for both the men’s and women’s divisions.

There are also massive prizes to be won in the two divisions. In the men’s division, it’s 1st K50,000; 2nd K30,000; 3rd K25,000; 4th K10,000. While for the women’s Division, it’s 1st K10,000; 2nd K8,000; 3rd K6,000; 4th K5,000.

The six-day event is also expected to drive a significant boost to the local economy with a large number of people coming in to watch the games, and with 40 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams competing for the prizes, the tournament is expected to be massive and exciting.

Hotels and guesthouses are fully booked, markets and shops are recording higher sales, transport operators are busy, and food outlets are thriving. The tournament is injecting thousands of kina into local businesses, proving that sports can be a powerful driver of revenue and investment for Madang.

Tournament Director Mr. Joel Ambrose emphasized that having the Morobe Kandes based in Madang will create pathways for the youths and local players to expose their talent, with the chance of eventually being picked for higher-level competitions. This is not only about rugby league, but also about building careers, inspiring young people, and strengthening Madang’s identity as a sporting and business hub.

Supporting the Morobe Kandes 9s will bring about positive changes.

“I call on all stakeholders to think smart and invest in this opportunity. Together, we can ensure Madang grows as both a sporting and economic powerhouse,” said the Tournament Director.

“I sincerely thank Madang and the Ron Albert Oval for allowing us to use their venue to showcase raw talents."

"Best wishes to all participating teams, and a warm welcome to Madang Province.”