Gerehu league officials to get uniforms to boost standard

By JOSEPH REMA
GEREHU Rugby League president Frank Kurum says officials in his competition will be in uniform as his administration looks to lift its standard.
Kurum said uniforms for the referees, linesmen and security personnel were bought last week.
“We have Port Moresby Rugby League referees running our games so to meet that standard we thought it was proper to have our officials also in uniform,” Kurum said. “We have to meet the standard to make this competition more appealing for people to come and watch.”
Kurum said referees and linesmen had been wearing an assortment of sports shorts and shirts and controlling matches he wanted to give them the respect they deserved by getting them uniforms.
Kurum clarified that the money used to buy the uniforms was from the league’s own funds.
He said the competition was attracting many fans including middle and upper class individuals along with Digicel Cup and Port Moresby Rugby League scouts as well as the regular supporters from the different parts of Gerehu and he felt the competition look and standard needed to improve.
Meanwhile, a fence is being erected around the Gerehu Sports Centre to prevent supporters from entering the playing area during matches.
Kurum said this was to protect players and match officials as the league had experienced issues with pitch invasions.
“They (supporters) run into the field without control and sometimes attack the players, therefore, we’ve bought metal posts and wire and the fencing with cover the perimeter of the field and hopefully people can respect the game and support their teams properly.”