Rigo Rice Cup

𝗞𝟱𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘'𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, Hon. John Rosso, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to grassroots rugby league by contributing K50,000 to Morobe Pride as the club prepares for the 2026 Rigo Rice Cup Grassroots Rugby League Play-Off Series.

The sponsorship was presented by Mr. Robert Kewe on behalf of Hon. Rosso to Lae Lord Mayor and Morobe Pride owner, Hon. Jacob Maragau.
Hon. Rosso's latest contribution builds on his continued support for the club, having also backed Morobe Pride during its 2025 campaign.

His ongoing investment reflects a strong commitment to nurturing grassroots rugby league and creating pathways for young sporting talent across Morobe Province.

After finishing runners-up in the 2025 Rigo Rice Cup, Morobe Pride enters this year's competition determined to go one step further and capture the prestigious grassroots rugby league championship.

Receiving the sponsorship, Hon. Maragau expressed his sincere appreciation to Hon. Rosso, describing the timely support as a significant boost to the team's preparations as it proudly carries the hopes of Morobe Province into one of Papua New Guinea's premier grassroots rugby league competitions.

On behalf of Rigo Rice, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, Hon. John Rosso, for his continued and generous support of Morobe Pride.

Partnerships like this play a vital role in strengthening grassroots rugby league, empowering young athletes, and ensuring the continued growth of the game throughout Papua New Guinea. We wish Morobe Pride every success in their pursuit of the 2026 Rigo Rice Cup title.

Reminder again to all teams to get your IDs done. No ID no games until all ID cards are done! Thank you

Just a quick reminder to all teams that we have not given out the 4 pases to any teams as yet and if a team is traning without being given the pass then we are sorry to say this but we have not given any passes to any teams as yet

: MOROBE PRIDE RETURNS TO THE RIGO RICE FIELDS IN QUEST FOR REDEMPTION

The PNG Times SportsDesk - Tuesday 28th July 2026

Warriors from the rainy savanna plains of Morobe Province have returned for the second edition of Rigo Rice Cup 2026.

Inaugural grand finalists Morobe Pride have marched back into Port Moresby to contest the second edition of the prestigious Rigo Rice Cup, determined to rewrite history after their heartbreaking defeat in the competition's maiden season.

The Lae-based rugby league club came within touching distance of glory in the 2025 Grand Final, where they battled the South Side Dolphins in an epic showdown at Hubert Murray Stadium.

In a match remembered for its intensity and controversy, Morobe Pride suffered a narrow 10-6 defeat after a crucial try was disallowed with a forward pass by referee Raynold Alphonse.

The try had originated from a brilliant long cut-out pass by then five-eighth Jacky Winas to the right wing, a moment that remains etched in the memories of Pride supporters.

Though denied the inaugural crown, the Pride have not forgotten. They have returned with unfinished business.

Now, as the countdown begins for another historic Rigo Rice Cup finals series, Morobe Pride once again stand among the regional challengers, ready to wage war for rugby league supremacy and the competition's massive prize purse.

Teams from across Port Moresby have already descended on the nation's capital after qualifying through their respective leg championships. Three champion clubs from each region now prepare to collide in what promises to be one of the fiercest local rugby league tournaments ever assembled.

This is more than a competition, as it is a clash of provinces, collision of cultures, a battlefield where warriors will carry the pride of their people, settlements and suburbs onto the field, knowing that every tackle, every run, and every victory writes another chapter in rugby league history for their territory.

As the battle drums echo across Port Moresby, hardened men will test their courage against equally determined opponents.

Bone will meet bone, strength will challenge strength, and warriors will charge into battle with one prize fixed in their sights, which is the coveted Rigo Rice Cup Premiership Trophy and a staggering K500,000 winner's purse.

For Morobe Pride, this is not merely another tournament, but it is a return to unfinished business, a journey of redemption as the warriors of Morobe march into battle once again.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – RIGO RICE CUP TEAM ID CARDS

A big thank you to 3CY United, who have already started processing their official Rigo Rice Cup ID cards today!

We are now urging ALL TEAMS participating in the Rigo Rice Cup Play-Offs/Cup Finals to come forward from tomorrow onwards and complete their ID card registration.

THIS IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL TEAMS.

Each team must bring their 25-man playing squad to the Rigo Rice Cup Office to have their ID cards processed.

Please understand that entry and participation during the Cup Play-Offs will be strictly controlled through the official ID card system.

IMPORTANT: If teams do not complete their ID cards on time, we may have no choice but to POSTPONE GAMES TO ANOTHER DATE**. We do not want delays to the competition, so we strongly encourage every team to get this completed as soon as possible.

WE WILL ALSO BE OPEN ON WEEKENDS!

We understand that some players are working or attending school during the week. To make things easier, teams can arrange a suitable time with us, including on weekends.

BOOK YOUR TEAM IN ADVANCE

WhatsApp or call us on **7156 1688** and let us know when your team will be coming so we can **slot you into the schedule.

25 PLAYERS • ONE TEAM • GET YOUR ID CARDS SORTED!

Don't wait until the last minute. 3CY United has started and we are now calling on every other team to get theirs done.

RIGO RICE CUP – CUP PLAY-OFFS
Get Registered. Get Identified. Get Ready to Play.

🏆 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL RIGO RICE CUP FINALS TEAMS 🏆

All teams that have qualified for the Rigo Rice Cup Play-Offs and Cup Finals are advised that player and official ID cards MUST be completed THIS WEEK. Come do your ID Photo shoot tomorrow the 28th of July 2026 at the Office.

This is an important requirement and must not be delayed. Every participating team is required to complete the ID process for its registered players and officials at the Rigo Rice Cup Office.

💳 TEAM ID PAYMENT: K600 PER TEAM
🏦 Account Name: RMP LIMITED
🏦 Bank: BSP
🏦 CHQ Account #: 7015995934
📱 Contact/WhatsApp: +675 7156 1688
⏱️ Printing turnaround: 24 hours

Teams that already have their ID cards designed should send the completed designs to us for printing.

⚠️ PLEASE TAKE THIS NOTICE SERIOUSLY:
The ID card process must be completed this week so that we can properly prepare for the Cup Finals. If teams fail to complete their IDs on time, we may be forced to postpone scheduled games until the ID requirements are completed.

ALL CUP FINALS TEAMS MUST COMPLY.

🎫 NO ID CARD!! NO ENTRY!!!
All players and officials must have their official ID cards for access to the games venue.

Please cooperate with the Rigo Rice Cup Organising Committee and get this completed as soon as possible.

Please share, Like the page and Follow for more Cup Updates.

🏉 RIGO RICE CUP
Building Pathways. Creating Champions.

WELCOME TO PORT MORESBY, MOROBE PRIDE!

The countdown to the Rigo Rice Cup Finals has officially begun!

Pictured here is the Morobe Pride squad at Nadzab Airport, Lae, Morobe Province, before departing for Port Moresby to compete in one of Papua New Guinea's premier rugby league tournaments.

On behalf of the Rigo Rice Cup Management, we extend our warmest welcome to the players, coaching staff, management, and supporters of Morobe Pride. Your presence adds another exciting chapter to this year's finals series, bringing together some of the best rugby league talent from across our nation.

We wish your team a safe stay in the nation's capital and the very best as you battle for Cup glory. May the competition be fierce, the sportsmanship exceptional, and the memories unforgettable.

Welcome to Port Moresby, Morobe Pride.
The road to the championship starts now!

A Message of Gratitude from the CEO – Rigo Rice Cup

As we officially conclude **Legs 1 through 4** of the Rigo Rice Cup and prepare for the much-anticipated **Rigo Rice Cup Play-Offs and Cup Finals**, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Rigo Rice Cup Organising Committee, to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.

What began as a vision to create opportunities for grassroots rugby league has continued to grow into a competition that is now bringing together clubs, players, officials, sponsors, and communities from across Papua New Guinea. This achievement belongs to every single person who has contributed along the way.

The journey has certainly not been without its challenges.

Throughout the four legs of the competition, we faced many obstacles,venue changes, scheduling pressures, logistical hurdles, financial constraints, weather interruptions, operational demands, and countless behind-the-scenes challenges that many people never see. There were moments when things did not go according to plan, but we remained committed to delivering a competition that our teams and supporters could be proud of.

Despite every setback, we never lost sight of our mission. Together, we persevered, adapted, and continued moving forward. That resilience is what has brought us to this exciting stage of the competition.

To every participating club, thank you for believing in the Rigo Rice Cup. Thank you for your commitment, your discipline, your passion, and for the sacrifices made by your players, coaches, management, volunteers, and supporters. You are the heart of this competition, and your dedication has made every weekend of rugby league a success.

To our referees, touch judges, match commissioners, judiciary members, medical teams, security personnel, field marshals, volunteers, media crews, commentators, photographers, and every individual who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, thank you. Your professionalism and countless hours of service have ensured that the competition continued to grow stronger every week.

I also extend my sincere appreciation to our loyal fans and supporters. Your presence at every game, your encouragement of the players, and your unwavering support have created an atmosphere that truly celebrates grassroots rugby league in Papua New Guinea.

A special and heartfelt thank you goes to our valued sponsors, whose belief in our vision has made this competition possible.

**Platinum & Naming Rights Sponsor**
**Rigo Rice Limited** – Mr. Jeffery Kennedy

**Silver Sponsor**
**Construct Oceanic Limited** – Mr. Sape Molumi

**Bronze Sponsor**
**Gerek Engineering** – Mr. Adrian J. Greg

**Friend of the Competition Sponsor**
**Togoba Kofi** – Mr. Fred Koldop

Your investment is more than financial support,it is an investment in young people, communities, grassroots rugby league, and the future of sport in Papua New Guinea. We are sincerely grateful for your confidence and partnership.

As we now prepare for the **Rigo Rice Cup Play-Offs**, we look forward to another exciting chapter. The best teams from each leg have earned their place, and the road to the championship promises to showcase rugby league at its finest.

To every qualifying team, I encourage you to prepare well, compete with pride, respect your opponents, uphold the spirit of fair play, and give your supporters a competition to remember.

On behalf of the entire Rigo Rice Cup family, I wish every team all the very best in your preparations.

We look forward to welcoming you all to what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the season.

Thank you once again to everyone who has walked this journey with us.

**See you all at the Rigo Rice Cup Play-Offs and Cup Finals.**

May the best team lift the Cup.

**McSteve Polly**
**Chief Executive Officer**
**Rigo Rice Cup**