Gulf eyes to enter 2nd team

A SECOND rugby league franchise from Gulf is likely to enter the Digicel Cup next year with Governor Chris Haiveta backing the new team’s — Gulf Isou — bid into the competition.
Haiveta clarified his stance on the existing Gulf Isapea franchise, saying he was committed to supporting them after they sort out their own issues and were re-admitted into the Digicel Cup.
Haiveta said Gulf lsapea were created by former governor Havila Kavo and is privately owned and managed by certain individuals from Gulf.
The Isapeas did not participate in the competition this year even though they were funded by Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK).
Haiveta said as a company it was governed by the Companies Act and accountable to its owner.
“Gulf Isapea is not a company owned by the provincial government. It is therefore only proper and appropriate for a new franchise called Gulf Isou to join the Digicel Cup to be managed by Gulf Provincial Sports Trust (GPST),” he said.
“The trust was established by the provincial government under my leadership to take charge of all sports development in our province.”
Haiveta said GPST successfully delivered the province’s best medal haul at the recently concluded PNG Games in Kimbe, going from second last in the previous Games ninth place.
GPST was also making headways in formulating a provincial structure by holding a public strategic planning workshop.
PRK committed K1 million for the trust’s operations in 2018.
Haiveta said the provincial government would deliberate and make its own contribution through its 2018 budget.
“I am expecting other minor corporate sponsorships to follow suit over the near term and would like to encourage them to do so.”
Haiveta said rugby league and other sporting codes would be managed by the GPST under a proper and accountable management team with a mixture of public and private sector funding.
“I am personally committed to supporting Gulf Isapea after it sorts out its own issues with the league and is re-admitted to the competition next year,” the governor said.
“I am also committed to supporting Wests Rugby League club along with Port Moresby and Lae-based Gulf teams in other sporting codes such as basketball, netball, volleyball, boxing and karate, and will ensure that GPST structure will allow affiliation and support in the long-term.”
Haiveta said the provincial government expects high standards of accountability from the trust and supports the initiatives it was undertaking with rugby league as well as other codes.
Sports administration including department of Gulf staff and resources will now be transferred to GPST as part of the department restructure that is now being implemented.
“There will be no political interference at all from me . GPST will run independently and will deliver higher standards of sports in Gulf.”