Clubs look for venues

 By JACK AMI

ONE of the main requirements for a Digicel Cup franchise to be admitted into the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League competition is to have a home ground.

But for several teams this is not the case with the Port Moresby Vipers, Gulf Isapea and the relocated Simbu Lions without a venue to call their own in 2016.

New bidders, who have expressed their interest in joing the 2016 season, Central Chiefs, NCD Lagatois and Lae Bombers are in that same boat while the Madang Duban Fox  and Simbu Warriors have secured home grounds for the semi-professional competition.

The Port Moresby Rugby League board headed by chairman Dr James Naipao has raised concerns that Vipers board should call a round table meeting with them.

Naipao said his board had offered the City Pharmacy-backed Vipers a home on the proviso they accepted three of the PRL board to join their management structure.

Naipao, who has called for the return of the franchise to the PRL, was adamant that giving the ownership back to the league was the way to go

“I want the both sponsors (NCDC and CPL) to know that we have never been involved in the decision making at the Vipers since they came on board,” Naipao said.

“They must know that the new National Football Stadium is the home of Port Moresby Rugby League and we have three of our members on the board of trustees.”

He said the PRL board would conditionally support Digicel Cup teams based in Port Moresby and Central wanting to use the NFS as their home ground for 2016.

TNA Lions franchise owner Gerard Phillip had to relocate his team to Port Moresby as the Simbu provincial government announced their intent to bring back the the Simbu Warriors.

Philips said he was looking at the NFS as a possible home in 2016.

He said he would hold discussions with Oil Search Ltd and trustees board on the matter.