AGM to elect chairman

By JACK AMI
THE election of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman and four confederate directors takes place during the annual general meeting (AGM) at the National Football Stadium (NFS) in Port Moresby tomorrow.
Two-term incumbent Sandis Tsaka and Moresby South Rugby League president Brown Murema are vying for the chairmanship with the representatives of 32 PNGRFL affiliates expected to cast their vote in a process conducted by the Electoral Commission.
The candidates will not be present during the election and will only be called in after the process is completed.
The chairmanship is the country’s most important rugby league post which Tsaka has occupied since 2014 following the impasse.
The election will be chaired by PNGRFL chief executive Reatau Rau and supervised by Bradshaw Lawyers.
The election of the Southern and New Guinea Islands confederate directors will take place before a chairman is voted into office.
For the Southern confederate, incumbent Gwaibo Mairi is challenged by Popondetta Rugby League president Peter Oresi with 17 regional affiliates eligible to cast their vote.
The NGI confederate will have a new director following the passing of Alois Tobata. Buka’s Avis Vanua, New Ireland’s Dennis Gati and East New Britain’s Nicholas Lyons are vying for the post with six leagues eligible to cast their vote.
With just one candidate for the Highlands confederate directorship, Joe Tokam is expected to be re-elected unopposed. Robin Veka is expected to be elected unopposed for the Northern confederate directorship following the passing of Russ Kaupa.
The swearing-in of the elected chairman and directors is expected to be done by a magistrate.