PNGNRL chair reveals competition challenges

Caption: PNGNRL Chairman Sudhir Guru.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, April 17, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

PNG National Rugby League Chairman Sudhir Guru, revealed challenges faced by the country’s premier rugby league competition this week.

His comments were made during the official launch of the Digicel Cup competition in Port Moresby on Monday night.

Guru said that despite the growth and success of the game in the country, there still remained challenges that continue to create concerns for the organisers.

“Everything is not as good, as it is we have some challenges also. The basic challenge we as an organiser have is the basic infrastructure and accessibility of provinces,” he said.

“We have local league grounds, we have other facilities, but they still need to be worked out.”

“The other challenge we have is referees. I’m not complaining here, but in order to run 98 games we need to have a good bank of referees.”

“Unfortunately the current number of referees, most of them are old and of course are trying to work it out with the recruitment of new referees but there is a void it needs to be addressed.”

He pointed out how vital it was as teams in the competition are sponsored by businessmen who did not invest to lose games.

The chairman also raised on the void created in the playing ranks of the competition due to call-ups to the SP PNG Hunters team.

“After the launching of the hunters all of us at the Digicel Cup we lost around 40 players and in the pyramid Digicel cup sits just behind the Hunters.”

“Rugby has to grow, the Digicel Cup has to grow, the rugby has to grow on the ground in PNG. We have a good relationship with PNGRFL and Digicel Cup is classified as a major league.”

“When you say major league is that one joins and it clears a pathway for players who can follow local league, Digicel (Cup), Hunters, Kumuls and all,” Sudhir added.

In his response, Minister for Sports and APEC Justin Tkatchenko, addressed the chairman’s concerns by referring to the issues of refereeing and depletion of player stocks to the Hunters team.

“When you have Digicel players taken by the hunters- that is a good thing as they are then being taken up by the NRL and the other clubs throughout the world,” Tjatchenko said.

“Exposing our local boys where they have gone to in places like England, Australia and this is a fantastic opportunity for our future rugby path that they have never had before.”

“When it comes to Digicel Cup it is part of the stepping stone into the future. Your government has made this happen with the help of sponsors.”

He thanked Digicel for its ongoing support of the semi-professional competition and the management of the comp as well- adding that issues surrounding refereeing numbers would be worked on closely with the PNGRFL in line with the need for more quality officials for Intrust Super Cup matches, and the World Rugby League Cup in 2017.

“When it comes to umpires (referees) we are working very closely with PNG rugby league to ensure they are ready for 2017, it will be a lasting legacy for them to then go into umpiring Digicel Cup and Hunters at the level for international and local games as well.”