Digicel Cup for all: Mairi

‘Having teams based in their provinces will boost following’

By ROBINSON LEKA
DIGICEL Cup teams should be based in their home provinces to allow more fans access to the country’s premier rugby league competition, says an official.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Southern Confederation director Gwaibo Mairi said that after the PNG National Rugby League Competition’s decision to reject three new franchises – Simbu Warriors (seeking re-entry), Fly River Storms and Mt Hagen Crushers – for the Digicel Cup next season.
Mairi, who heads the biggest of the four confederations in the country, said the decision was necessary to help bring the Digicel Cup to the provinces.
He explained the roles regional confederates in facilitating new bids.
“We gave them the ideas and advice, however, it’s about funding and those who are providing it,” Mairi told The National.
“We’re just a link. We don’t have the financial capacity. We’re the link between finances, PNGRFL and PNGNRLC.
“We can submit bids to PNGNRLC and say whether the projects are viable.
“We can give support in terms of pathways and talent identification in order for the provincial team to be competitive in the Digicel Cup.”
Mairi re-emphasised why all the bids for next season were rejected and pointed out the importance of teams in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“The NRL programme is designed by PNGRFL and given to PNGNRLC for franchises to go back to the provinces.
Rugby league at the top level must be played in the provinces to boost following.
“Franchises are supposed to come out from the provinces and represent them rather than starting up franchises and playing outside their own provinces. That’s not the purpose of this programme.”