AGM holds key

By KEVIN TEME
PAPUA New Guinea’s chances of participating in the 2013 World Cup could be in jeopardy unless an annual general meeting (AGM) set for Jan 28 goes ahead to appoint a new executive for the PNG Rugby Football League.
Earlier this year, the National Court appointed an interim committee, headed by John Numapo and instructed that a full AGM be held by the end of last month.
However, 19 leagues from the highlands region disputed the legitimacy of the meeting, and argued that Numapo had gone beyond his powers in increasing the affiliation fees to be paid by the clubs.
Highlands leagues representative Sandis Tsaka said mediation attempts between the two parties failed.
He said they had now instructed their lawyer to withdraw the court proceedings and invoke relevant sections of the PNGRFL’s constitution which authorises the affiliate leagues to call for an AGM.
The AGM is now set for Jan 28 at the Melanesia Hotel in Lae.
Tsaka said in a paid advertisement recently that he had consulted former acting general manager Ivan Ravu and Tas Batari of the Rugby League International Federation and confirmed that the AGM would be held on Jan 28.
It also stated that the court proceedings which restrained the former interim board from convening the AGM on Nov 26 had reached a stalemate as the proceedings had become irrelevant because the term of the interim board had lapsed on Nov 30.
“It is for these reasons and to restore the credibility of PNGRFL and rugby league that affiliate leagues in the proceedings had resolved to withdraw the proceedings.
“They have also, in consultation with the PNGRFL regional development officers, affiliate leagues in PNG, resolved for a meeting at 10am at the Melanesian Hotel in Lae on Jan 28,” Tsaka said.
Numapo told The National yesterday that he was no longer in the decision-making process because his term as chairman for the interim committee had expired.
However, he could not verify but said that there was a possibility the meeting could go ahead.
“I think there is possibility of an AGM on Jan 28 as was told by Ivan (Ravu).
“However, as I have said I am no longer in position to make decisions,” Numapo said.
“Ivan (Ravu) did indicate to me that there was a possibility of an AGM on that date.”
David Tamtu, who was part of the PNGRFL interim board headed by Numapo, also said he did not have the mandate to make decisions.
“(However) for the good of rugby league all regions should work together for the betterment of the sport rather than the continuous court battle that has dragged the game into disrepute,” Tamtu said.
Since the term of the interim committee headed by Numapo, Tamtu, Gary Juffa and their executives had lapsed on Nov 26, four regional development officers, Alois Tobata (New Guinea Islands), Steve Malum (Northern), Joe Tokam (Highlands) and Ripa Kalamo (Southern) have taken charge of administering the PNGRFL office.