Appointment flawed

SIDELINED PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Gary Juffa has voiced his opposition to the actions of the recently appointed interim management committee of Brian Canavan and John Numapo.
Juffa, who claims to have the support of the majority of affiliated leagues in the country, said yesterday that recent media reports released by the PNGRFL interim committee were misleading because they claimed all parties had unanimously agreed for a caretaker administration.
“I was alarmed to learn that the media had reported that I agreed to have the PNGRFL put under administration which is not true,” the Customs Commissioner said.
“The fact is we made it very clear that the PNGRFL constitution does not sanction such resolutions.”
“We never agreed to any such arrangements and I have serious concerns about the actions taken by the Rugby League International Federation,” he added.
Since a meeting was called on July 3 by Sports Minister Philemon Embel to bring both parties claiming the leadership of the PNGRFL together for a solution, the newly appointed interim committee according to Juffa, had acted outside its jurisdiction in making decisions concerning the PNGRFL.
Juffa and his deputy Bryan Kramer claimed the interim committe was acting outside, and inspite of, the resolutions reached at the July 3 meeting in Port Moresby of which Juffa was absent as he was on duty travel at the time.
“It appears that my input, concerns and suggestions were not considered at the meeting and there has been a decision to suddenly appoint an administration to oversee all rugby league activities in the country without the PNGRFL board’s approval or sanctioned under its constitution.”
Juffa declared that he was still the  PNGRFL chairman as proven by two seperate elections conducted last year and earlier this year involving all league affiliates in the country.
On both occassions, Juffa claimed he was supported by the majority of affiliates who voted him in virtually unopposed.
“As chairman of the PNGRFL, I am still in control of the organisation, its administartion assetts and finances.
“The appointment of a caretaker administration is illegal and to no effect.”
Juffa pointed out that according to Kramer the minutes of the meeting held on July 3 clearly stated what they had agreed to which was for an interim administration to be set up and headed by Numapo and Canavan but with the  input from both Juffa and former PNGRFL chairman Albert Veratau.
“I have yet to recieve copies of the resolution that I purportedly agreed to,” he said.
Juffa claimed that the interim board was making decisions and announcement without consulting him and the other party, as originally agreed upon.
He tooka swipe at what he percieved was an overridding influence of outsiders on the domestic rugby league affairs of the country.
“We would never agree for a highly paid expat to manage the game of rugby league in the country and be in charge of funds allocated by the Australian government in a boomerang aid type arrangement.
“We have capable administartors in this country.
“This issue seems just to be about the money.
“I’m mindful of the interests and concerns of the affiliated leagues and will protect their rights.”
Juffa said the leagues through out the country had called on him voicing their objection to a caretaker administration and were considering legal action to prevent any such committee from claiming to be in charge of the PNGRFL.
However, Juffa assured all rugby league fans in the country that he was very much committed to having the Kumuls participate in the Four-Nation tournament in October and would see to it that the programmes his board had commenced would continue.