49 associations to attend PNGRFL annual meeting

The National Sports

A TOTAL of 49 affiliated rugby league associations will attend the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) annual general meeting (AGM) at the Bluff Inn Resort outside Port Moresby on Saturday.
PNGRFL chief executive Reatau Rau said in a statement that following consultation with their legal team and endorsement by the board this week, all 49 leagues that affiliated to the PNGRFL last year were eligible to attend the AGM.
“One of the reasons the first AGM was deferred to March 28 from March 6 was that the 32 leagues that attended were not fully compliant with the PNGRFL affiliation requirements due to conflicting reports from confederates,” he said.
The four requirements set for all leagues to fulfil are:

  • Full affiliation fees to be paid to PNGRFL by all associations;
  • Full official and player registration fees, including insurance, to be paid to PNGRFL;
  • Competitions for men, women and Under-20s must be played in that season ending with a grand final; and,
  • AGM minutes and financial reports must be submitted to the PNGRFL by Dec 31 of that year.

“I can confirm that 49 leagues had affiliated last year,” Rau said.
“We found that the 32 leagues were not fully certified in line with these affiliations and therefore to be fair and consistent, the board has endorsed all 49 leagues to attend the AGM.”
He said among the agendas of the AGM was the election of the PNGRFL chairmanship and four confederate directorships.
“The other major concern that led to the deferral of the March 6 AGM were reports received prior to the start of the meeting of a candidate for the Southern Confederate directorship banned by the PNGRFL judiciary in 2006 from taking public office and questions raised on the legality of a seconder of a candidate — nominee in Northern Confederate replaced by a new president,” Rau said.
He said PNGRFL had sighted the decision by the judiciary of 2006 that the person (named) was banned for 15 years.
“The 15 years will be up next year and the advice from our legal team is that this decision be upheld,” Rau said. “Therefore, this nomination is deemed null and void.”
Rau said in another twist to the Southern Confederate directorship following the deferred March 6 AGM, the incumbent director’s seconder had withdrawn his nomination.
“The withdrawal has been accepted and as per the constitution, new nominations for the Southern Confederate directorship can be called for on the floor during the AGM,” he said.
He said nominations for the Northern Confederate directorship would also be called on the floor on Saturday.
“The seconder of the candidate was in fact not authorised to do so, which has been deemed null and void,” Rau said.
He said these issues had been addressed and cleared to ensure the integrity of the election process was protected, and transparency and good governance was maintained.
“We have seen some irregularities at this AGM and the participation of all 49 affiliated leagues gives an opportunity to the majority on the make-up of the PNGRFL board for the next three years,” Rau said.
“We have learned some big lessons and will be making recommendations to the new board for changes to the constitution and by-laws to address these issues and challenges.” He said a returning officer from the Electoral Commission would conduct the elections and the swearing-in of the elected board would be officiated by the chief magistrate.
Rau said the PNGRFL board had powers to convene and set dates and venues for the AGM.
The 49 presidents arrive on Friday and undergo Covid-19 protocols and processes. They return on Sunday.
Associations: New Guinea Islands: Kokopo, Kimbe, Kavieng, Namatanai, Buka, Lihir, Gazelle, Rabaul, Hoskins; Northern: Madang, Lae, Ramu, Walium, Wewak, Maprik; Highlands: Goroka, Banz, Kimil, Mt Hagen, Komo, Nondugl, Minj, Baning, Wabag, Mendi, Pangia, Porgera, Ialibu, Kunumb, Kundiawa; Southern: Port Moresby, Moresby South, Moresby Suburban, Motu-Koita, Koiari, Rigo, Buria, Tabubil, Popondetta, Kiunga, Kerema, Daru, Sioupusa, Hiri-East, UPNG, Alotau, Hiri-West, CPPL.