THE HQ Chiefs is a Murray Barracks-based team competing in the 2026 PNGDF Commander’s Cup.
InsidePNG sat down with the Chief’s Team Manager, Major Emmanuel Rama for a one-on-one Q&A Session to find out more about the Chiefs from HQ.
Q: What is your role with HQ Chiefs?
A: My name is Major Emmauel Rama, and I am the Team Manager for HQ Chiefs for the 2026 tournament. Part of my role is to secure funding and sponsorships.
Q: Who makes up the HQ Chiefs
A: HQ Chiefs is made up of soldiers and officers from Murray Barracks. There are two units here at Murray Barracks, we have the Force Support Battalion or FSB on the other side of the road towards Boroko and on this side towards 2 Mile is the Headquarters.
Most of our players are soldiers from the Headquarters area. We have different branches within the Headquarters. There are five to six branches that make up the Headquarters so most of the players are from these branches. The players are from the Logistics, Communications, Intelligence and Training Branches.
Q: Have you taken part in previous Commander’s Cup competitions?
A: I was based in Lae’s Igam Barracks for 12 to 13 years and just got posted to PNGDF HQ in 2021. I have not been involved in the previous Commander’s Cups. This is the first time I have been appointed as Team Manager for Chiefs.
But I have played in other Rugby Competition and with that experience, I am assuming that my bosses have randomly selected me to manage the Chiefs. This is my first time to participate as an official with Chiefs.
Q: Why is the Headquarters Team called Chiefs?
A: At Murray Barracks, we have all the senior officers and we call them Chiefs. For Eg: Chief of Logistics, Chief of Force Preparation, Chief of Personnel. The Branch Heads are called Chiefs and that is how the name Chiefs was selected to represent Headquarters.
On the Unit Flag for Chiefs, there is a drawing of a Papuan Chief and that is a representation of the homage we pay to the people of Central Province for the use of their traditional land. So having the name Chiefs is fitting and best represents the Headquarter Team.
Q: How does it feel leading the Chiefs in an activity that brings together all ten PNGDF Units throughout Papua New Guinea?
A: It is such an honor to represent Chiefs as an official. The Commander’s Cup involves all PNGDF establishments in the country. The previous one was held in Lae and hosted by Igam Barracks. This year it is hosted by us, the Chiefs. Initially when the competition started, we had two teams each from each unit.
For Example, there were two teams each from Taurama or Wewak. But the bosses decided to reduce it because of logistics costs and the unit’s commitment to work so now we have one team per unit.
Q: What’s training like for the Chiefs?
A: Morale is high; the players are constantly turning up for training. We have training every day. We have training in the morning, it starts at 8am. In the afternoons, it starts at 2pm and finishes at 4pm. We are looking forward to a good competition.
Q: What placing on the ladder did Chiefs finish off in the 2023 Commander’s Cup?
A: We went into the semifinals, and we lost to another team. We finished third on the ladder. For this year, we have confidence that we will make it into the grand finals.
Q: What is the best part of the Commander’s Cup?
A: The initiative of the Commander’s Cup is to get all the units of PNGDF establishments onto one sporting field. All the teams come with their supporters, officials and their sponsors. It brings up the esprit de corps, a sense of belonging and pride to the PNG Defence Force and is the best feeling to represent our individual teams.
Q: Does the Union Competition also unite families and dependents of soldiers?
A: Yes, of course, the families of the host unit will always be present because they live here. Unfortunately for units outside of Port Moresby, it will involve travel costs for families to travel.
But for units within Port Moresby, we will have families from Taurama, Goldie and ATW coming to support. For Murray Barracks, teams HQ and FSB, they will turn up in numbers to watch and support.
Q: Do you think Chiefs will win this year’s Competition?
A: The Chiefs players are giving their 100 per cent commitment to the training. There are always smiles on their faces. The coach and trainers are civilians but are professionals involved in the Capital Rugby Union and coach our Defence team in the City Competition. Seeing the commitment and consistency of the players, I have no doubt that this year we will make it to the finals.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: Yes, the players will concentrate on playing and it is the duty of the officials to ensure all funding and sponsorships are used properly and publicly acquitted. So far, we are doing fine, we have secured sponsors from SP Brewery and Paradise Foods, and we want to thank these sponsors for coming onboard to support us.
The Commander’s Cup will run from 14th September to 28th of September. I am confident that with the training and commitment of the Chiefs players so far. We are looking forward to a good competition. May the Best Unit Win.
