By SAMPSON BONAI
FORMER deputy chairman Albert Veratau was elected unopposed as the new chairman PNGRFL Board at its Annual General Meeting in Lae on Saturday.
Veratau from Southern Region takes over the reign from acting chairman Erick Kuman. Kuman was elevated to the highest post following Sir Bob Sinclair’s resignation early this year to contest the Morobe Regional seat in the recent National Elections.
Veratau is no stranger to sports as he was once a schoolboys representative in his hey days. He was part of the Bugandi Provincial High School in 1977 in an annual clash against an U60kg New South Wales side.
Veratau was deputy chairman during his day with SP Brewery as marketing manager. He had a brief stint as chairman before relinquishing the position to Kuman.
The PNG Board appointed Kuman as acting head taking over from Veratau and Sir Bob.
Kuman who was the then chairman of the judiciary committee took over as acting chairman until the election at the weekend.
Kuman along with other board members has retained his position.
PNGRFL executive officer Jeff Wade confirmed Veratau as the new chairman of the PNGRFL Board.
Wade said the meeting also made some decision regarding PNG’s participation at the World Cup rugby league event.
“PNG Rugby Football League board had also approved and endorsed its 2008 rugby league calendar that includes the World Cup rugby league event that will be held in October in Australia next year.
“We will play our first World Cup game against England on Oct 25 at Gold Coast and the second game against New Zealand Kiwis at the new stadium for the Gold Coast Titans.
“The third game against Australian Kangaroos will be played in Townsville on November 11. Our first game again-st England will be tele
cast live throughout the world,” he said.