Central Premier League embroiled in payment dispute

 By JACK AMI
THE Rigo Magani rugby league club has responded to Central Premier League chairman Jack Kedea’s statement on the plate prize money of K15,000 they won last year.
Rigo coach Wesley Matawa and president Albert Adila said the club had paid K700 in registration to CPL coordinator David Silovo as well as players’ registration of K1500 to PNG Rugby Football League through the Southern Confederation and they had the documentation to verify payment.
“We played the plate grand final with East Aroma and deserve the cash prize of K15,000 as the champions,” Matawa said.
He said if chairman Kedea knew that they were not affiliated why did he allow them to play the plate final and then withhold the payment of the prize money on the ground that they were unregistered.
Matawa said his club also had outstanding issues with the league organisers.
“We charged CPL K700 for the use of the Kwikila Oval and a payment of K2100 is still outstanding for hiring vehicles to travel to venues which CPL promised to pay but never did so,” Matawa said.
“It’s unfair and Kedea should explain why he hasn’t settled our claim or we will consider legal advice.”
Kedea said as far as he was concern both Magani and East Aroma were not fully affiliated and registered members of the league and therefore forfeited their winnings as per the competition rules.
“Magani have an outstanding of K1300 and East Aroma have not paid anything,” Kedea said.
He said the cash prizes they were talking about were yet to be released by a sponsor, who had made the commitment.
“If they want to take the matter to court, it is up to them.