Posted By Staff Reporter
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013, Port Moresby- PNGNRL has revealed a revised competition for the Digicel Cup 2013 with an announcement of new inclusions being TNA Lions and Mendi Muruks late application for 2013 has been approved. Including new franchise sponsor for the Mt Hagen Eagles in Wamp Nga Group of Companies.
The entry of the Hela Wigmen, Wamp Nga Eagles, Mendi Muruks and TNA Lions is conditional and will be on a 1 year provisional lease subject to each franchise meeting the requirements of the PNGNRL this season. This brings the Digicel Cup competition to feature (10) ten teams being the Stop N Shop Port Moresby Vipers, Gulf Isapea, Hela Wigmen, Enga Mioks, Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles, Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, Agmark Guria, Snax Tigers, TNA Lions and Mendi Muruks. As well announcing the Digicel Cup kick off is now scheduled for April 14th. General Manager Hubert Warupi stated that the Board had received the late application from TNA Lions and Mendi Muruks early in the week and discussed their application. The decision to accept TNA Lion was relatively easy as the franchise would be maintained by current franchise sponsor TNA Holdings, and on those grounds the PNGNRL Board granted the application. While for the Mt Hagen franchise the Wantok Gaming System sponsorship has come to an end due to non commitment from the WGS sponsor. Warupi further added that a very late application from a consortium of individuals and companies seeking to sponsor Mendi Muruks was received on the 16th March was considered and required to be assessed by the PNGNRL to ensure that the team met the stringent requirements of the PNGNRL, being that the team is sufficiently financed with a major sponsor, does have a home ground and players to field a team. Warupi added that although Mendi Muruks was an existing team the major difference was that the sponsors behind the team were not known and we needed to meet with consortium to ensure the team is financially sustainable, good value for the PNGNRL and provides for the best interests of the game. The PNGNRL has approved eight (9) venues with new inclusion Tente Oval in Mendi to be the home ground for the Hela Wigmen and Mendi Muruks, while Mt Hagen will have Rebiamul and Kagamuga ovals to use and Goroka the NSI Venue and Sir Danny Leah Oval as spare. Digicel Cup fixtures are now being finalised to be circulated within the week. In other news, a referee refresher program will be conducted in Port Moresby from the 22nd to 23rd March for selected Digicel Cup match officials in readiness for the bumper season ahead, a total of 30 referees from around the country will undergo a high performance referee program which will be facilitated by the PNGNRL. The Digicel Cup referees have the privilege to have National Gaming Control Board as naming right sponsor for the 3rd year now. Comments are closed.
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