Governor’s Cup hits snag

By JUNIOR UKAHA
DESPITE the count-down to the annual Governor’s Cup beginning on Thursday, hosts Bomana Rugby League (BRL) administration is concerned that funds meant for the competition had not been given to them yet.
BRL president Alphonse Witnes, backed by his committee, said that though they were fully prepared to stage the event, nothing was forthcoming from the office of the president of the Port Moresby Suburban Rugby League (POMSRL).
Witnes said his committee was aware that K20,000 was given by NCD Governor Powes Parkop for staging the event but did not know the reason why the funds were withheld.
“As the host league in the city, we are in the dark as we are yet to receive the money to host the event,” Witnes said.
“We’ve got our working committee and budget break-up set and we are now waiting for the funds to be released to us so that we can kick-start our programme,” he said.
Team patron for Bomana Dekmog One and Two, William Onglo in support of Witnes, said no “third parties”  should be involved in dealing with the funds given by the governor to the organisers.
“We don’t want middleman involve in distributing funds for running the game, therefore whatever that belongs to the players and the people must be duly given to them without delay,” a concerned Onglo stressed.
Meanwhile, POMSRL president Billy Aki said  he had the cup funds but said BRL needed a proper bank account before he would release the money.
Aki said he had already given K3,000 to BRL to carry out initial works leading up to the matches.
He said he would release the money in parts on request and not all at once for acquittal purposes, adding that these control measures would ensure transparency.
The tournament has attracted 22 off-season rugby league teams to participate over the Christmas period.
They are defending champions Dekmog Bomana, Hohola Flies, Morata Swans, 8-Mile Mosquitoes, Kone Storms, 4-Mile Eastern Highlands and Boroko Pythons all with two teams each.
The others with one team are Kaugere Southern Blacks, Poreporena, Freeway Bombers, Heduru Brothers, 5-Mile United, Lealea, Boera and 9-Mile Dolphins.
Aki said all teams should meet the affiliation requirements of K150 with the deadline ending yesterday with receipts presented during the meeting today at Lagatoi Haus to confirm and release draws.
He said teams should contact the Witnes and BRL secretary Peter Wai for more information.