Information
Papua New Guinea (PNG) will join Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) in 2028 as part of a broader security agreement with Australia. The deal includes 600 million Australian dollars over 10 years to support PNG’s NRL entry, underscoring the popularity of rugby league in PNG, a country of 12 million people. In return, PNG has signed a confidential security pact with Australia, aiming to solidify their partnership and counteract China’s growing influence in the region. PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape has downplayed the agreement, describing it as a reaffirmation of Australia’s role as PNG’s primary security partner while maintaining China as a key economic partner.
This arrangement is part of Australia’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with Pacific island nations and counter Chinese influence following Beijing’s recent attempts to establish security agreements in the region. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese avoided directly addressing whether the deal blocks PNG from future security agreements with China, instead emphasizing regional security as a shared responsibility among Pacific nations. Experts suggest the agreement blends soft and hard power, combining sports diplomacy with strategic security goals. Australia, which provided PNG with significant aid this year, views the partnership as a crucial step in securing its strategic environment and fostering regional stability.
Source: AFP, AP, Reuters
So what
If anyone ever tells you that sport is not political, show them this story as it is a clear example of a country using sport as an influence. Though it is highly unlikely that this will completely negate China’s influence in PNG, sports are a large part of the average person’s life in PNG, and this will likely bring them closer to Australia. It is also likely that seeing members of their community playing in the NRL will give the youth of the country hope for the future and something to work towards, all positives, and critically, something China cannot offer PNG.
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