Gulf Isapeas register for Digicel Cup

By DOMINIC KRAU
NATIONAL Rugby League franchise Gulf Isapeas, are the first to register for the 2012 Digicel Cup with the backing of the Gulf provincial government, and are aiming for a bigger and better season.
Gulf Governor Havila Kavo, in the company of Isapeas chairman Sarea Soi and chief executive officer Martin Liri, made a cheque presentation of K180,000 to PNG NRL general manager Hubert Warupi onSaturday morning at the Holiday Inn, Port Moresby.
The K120,000 is for the team’s registration while the remaining of K60,000 would go to offsetting the team’s outstanding gate guarantees from last season.
“Rugby has been a passion for the Gulf people. History has been written and I believe Gulf can repeat it again. The Gulf provincial government was the (Isapeas) sponsor last year and we are again sponsoring the team this year,” Kavo said.
He said the Isapeas’ 2012 gate guarantees would be settled before the season kicked off.
Kavo thanked Warupi for receiving the monies and for accepting Isapeas participation in the 2012 season.
With the sponsorship from the Gulf provincial government, Warupi said Isapeas could work toward a good result on the field.
“Isapeas have really shown that they are committed. For those (franchises) who have not paid, you have to pay up before the season starts,” he said, adding that mid-February was the registration deadline for all franchises to pay their registration fee of K120,000.
Isapeas chairman Soi said from their limited experience it would cost about K500,000 for the season to run the franchise.
“We will have a meeting to review our performance as we have to put our house in order,” he said.
Soi said players interested in joining the Gulf Isapeas should submit their expression of interest to Liri.
Liri thanked Kavo and the Gulf provincial government for their continued support and commitment.
“Last year we had no idea about the cost (of running a franchise) and about how competitive it was going to be, we were entering uncharted waters.
“At least we can win some more games this year,” he said.