Posted By Staff Reporter
M’s 13 squad PM’s 13 squad to named soon By KEVIN TEME Post Courier: PNG Rugby Football League will announce a 40-man squad next month for this year’s Prime Minister’s XIII game on September 23 in Port Moresby. This was announced by PNGRFL interim administrator Ivan Ravu in his statement yesterday. Ravu when contacted said yesterday the case was dismissed by Justice Ere Kariko last Wednesday and he welcomed the decision as a step to move things forward. The court found that the 18 Highlands and several other leagues who have paid their affiliation fees to former Highlands RFL development officer Joe Tokam who also acted as an interim administrator for the Highlands and Northern Region, a position appointed during the failed special general meeting in Lae early this year was improper as the fees were put into a Highlands schoolboys rugby league account in Mt Hagen.
Ravu who was also appointed to look after the Niugini Islands and the Southern Region said the courts decision to throw out the case will allow for stability in the PNGRFL so that they get on with the serious business of running the game. Tokam when contacted yesterday confirmed that the account was already closed when former PNGRFL deputy chairman Brian Kramer took office. Ravu said those leagues are not recognised as affiliated members of the PNGRFL. They can use proper affiliation procedures to become members. “There have been too many court proceedings and challenges taken out against the PNGRFL over the last four years and that has seriously affected the image of rugby league as a national sport in the country. It will take a lot of effort to bring back the confidence and the trust in the administration of the game,” Ravu said. He said the game needs to win back the support of the business houses. Ravu said there are number of important fixtures coming up this year and next year which includes the annual Prime Minister’s XIII match, the PNG National 9s tournament and a possibility of having two-match tour by the USA Tomahawks and later this year, a team will also be prepared for the Kumuls pre-match World Cup match with an Australian NRL team in Sydney in February next year. Ravu confirmed that the International Rugby League Federation has sanctioned these international fixtures in its last meeting in London in May this year. He said the selectors have a fair idea who will be making the team and is expected to announce the squad soon. Ravu will meet with the former chairman of selectors Arnold Krewanty this week. Meanwhile, Ravu said 40 players will be selected from the Digicel Cup competition and consideration for PNG born players playing in the Queensland Intrust Cup, Australian NRL and Super League in England. “This will enable PNG to field a strong team for the World Cup next year,” Ravu said. Comments are closed.
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