Chow: Lae can host more games
TIGERS owner Ian Chow says Lae can host more Digicel Cup matches if the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) wants to move games from Port Moresby over the lockdown.
“Digicel Cup matches draw big crowds to the Lae Rugby League Ground,” he said.
“But due to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League’s Covid-19 protocols, we’ve been restricting attendance so far this season.
“Having said that, Lae is free from the Covid-19.
“We still have more fans who are eager to attend matches but sometimes don’t gain entry.
“With the current situation in Port Moresby going under lockdown, I think Lae can host more games.
“If PNGNRLC decides to move games from Port Moresby then the Lae Rugby League Ground is available.”
But Chow said an advantage of playing Digicel Cup matches in Port Moresby was that it was convenient for TV Wan to broadcast the games to a wider audiences in the country and abroad.
“Games in Port Moresby are easy to broadcast on TV so it’s always good to host games there,” he said.
“It will market our competition to a wider audience.
“In terms of broadcasting matches, playing in Lae and other centre is not suitable.
“That’s the only downside otherwise Lae is a great location to host more matches.
“But I’m just a franchise owner, it’s a call that only PNGNRLC can make.”
2 comments
If you’re still a franchise owner.. isn’t conflict of interests for you to be talking and boasting to host more games in Lae the home ground of your Snax Tigers? Lae has 3 positive cases and more to come.
What Chow is suggesting is good option. Moving away from pandemic hot spot is the concern he is stressing on. Why Lae, because there is other teams up in the Highlands can easily travel by road to Lae or games can be hosted up in Highlands Provinces as well where covid-19 cases are none or less. Gulf Iso and Vipers have no choice but to move away from the hot spot zone of covid-19 which is Moresby. Kimbe and Rabual will be to costly if matches are to be hosted there to most teams in Norther Region (Lae Snax Tigers) and Highlands Region (Goroka Lahanis, Vagi Tumbe, Hagen Eagles and Enga Mioks) to travel to and from.
Inconsideration of these facts; Gulf Iso and Vipers management must consider relocating out from Pom if the rest of the season games are to be hoisted out from Pom.
The current status of Covid-19 in Pom must not be the hindrance for season closer but for players safety; despite the PNGNRL covid-19 protocols the game must be moved away from the hot spot.
Also, the TV Wan management must step up to take the challenges as well to show their scarifies in good and bad times to promote the game in our country and not just focus only on money making.
Liklik tinktink tasol, Lae Snax Tigers Supporter.
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