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Sports |
Speaking out for the good of all
II WRITE in response to a statement
by Jeff Wade, the CEO of PNGRFL, asking what right I, as president
of Goroka Rugby League, have in speaking on behalf of the
Bintangor Lahanis team as well as demanding apology from The
National and me for exposing his inadequacies as national
administrator of the league.
As president of the league that produces the Lahanis and
representing the voice of Lahanis supporters of Goroka, I believe
I acted responsibly, in the absence of the board, to air (on EMTV)
the players’ concern and resolution not to travel to Wabag.
EMTV was the only media that was available on the weekend to
broadly inform the league fans in Wabag and Enga province of the
no-game situation within 24 hours of its scheduled time.
This was done for the sake of the fans in Enga as well as
informing the Lahanis supporters of the team’s decision and the
reasons behind it.
I had used the occasion (EMTV news) also to criticise Jeff Wade
for what appears to me as a rugby league administrator, a very
stupid and risky decision to stage the match in Wabag, especially
for the Bintangor Lahanis, given the election scenario on that
weekend.
As far as I know, all concerns exchanged in the days leading up to
the failed match was between Wade and the Lahanis management and
not between the NRL board and Lahanis.
Jeff Wade is now hiding behind the NRL board saying it was the
board’s decision.
Can he show some documentation proving his conference with the
board on this matter?
If he can’t, then his inadequacies in this post is proven further.
As the CEO, he is expected to make decisions on behalf of the
board and must be prepared for the consequences, amongst which is
criticism from the likes of me.
My criticism of him is professional and not personal and if he
can’t take it, then all the more reason for him to step down.
There have been too many inconsistencies in decisions handed down
by the NRL board this season that I am beginning to question the
credibility of the board and its CEO.
I will not apologise for speaking out for the good of all.
Pat Siwi
President and administrator,
Goroka Rugby League
 
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