Chow highlights challenge

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition has described this season as the most challenging since Digicel took over the naming rights to the intercity competition in 2011.
Competition chairman Adrian Chow said the Covid-19 pandemic had led to unprecedented times.
“This year has been like no other and it has been our most challenging season,” he said in Port Moresby last week.
“But I’m pleased that all 71 games over the last four months have been completed without a single case of Covid-19 in our competition and that’s a great achievement for us.
“When Covid-19 was declared a pandemic in March, we were not even sure if it would be even possible to have the Digicel Cup this year.
“But we were able to network with our counterparts in Australia (Queensland Rugby League and National Rugby League) and the Government to develop our Covid-19 protocols.”
Chow said more than 400 players and officials were involved in the Digicel Cup this season.
He said their involvement had created business opportunities and provided entertainment for the public over the last four months.
Competition manager Stanley Hondina commended all 12 franchises for their sacrifices in following the sport’s Banis Protocols.
“It was a challenge not only for Port Moresby and Lae but we also went to Kimbe, Kokopo, Minj, and Goroka,” he said.