Chow hails successful season despite Covid-19 challenges

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) has hailed season 2021 of the Digicel Cup a success despite setbacks and uncertainties faced under the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
PNGNRLC board chairman Adrian Chow said the national competition broke new ground in Covid-19 vaccination and the development of gaming infrastructures in its second season under the pandemic.
“An amazing season for our national rugby league competition in 2021,” he said.
“Through all our challenges of the pandemic and its effect on business and the economy, the Digicel Cup continues to shine.
“It seems like a long time ago in April when Covid-19 cases in PNG rose, the PNG Sports Foundation suspended all sports competitions.
“Our competition became advocates for vaccination, over 400 our players and officials chose to be vaccinated.
“This allowed our teams to travel between provinces while minimising the risk of transmission,” Chow said.
He said the competition was able to assist with grants for teams and their affiliate leagues this season along with further developments to venues in the country.
“During the year, we were able to work with some of our franchises to ease some of the pressures experienced under the new normal.
“The board this year has also approved halfway grants and game development grants to PNG Rugby Football League that recognises the promotion of a lower tier competition to the growth of rugby league.
“Our competition now has an upgraded venue at the Johnson Siki (formerly Aipus) Oval in Wabag with a playing surface, two grandstands and terraced sides for spectators.
“Work has also started for the new venue in Tari for the Hela Wigmen.
“I hail the franchises and their sponsors for their infrastructure investments which will improve the standard of competition.”