Hagen rugby league opposes Numapo’s nomination for post

MT Hagen rugby league president Samuel Buka has called on the PNGRFL interim chairman John Numapo to stop raising his hands on the chairman’s position but to show his support in the game of rugby league in the country.
Buka said that Numapo should not blame the PNGRFL for poor management so that he can get votes in order to become the chairman.
He said what Numapo did by pointing fingers at the management was not good because responsibility had to be shared with all in the PNGRFL.
He said that for the Kumuls to lose in the Four Nations tournament was not a complete management failure but meant there was a lot to do to correct the situation.
Buka said that many local leagues around the country including Mt Hagen opposed Numapo’s  nomination they questioned what change he could bring.
Buka said what Numapo should say as an interim chairman was to put more focus on local leagues who were struggling to develop and maintain players.
He said that in the years 1996 – 1998 and 2000 – 2002 when Numapo was the chairman of the PNGRFL he had consistently neglected the rural leagues.
Buka said the Port Moresby rugby league which was giving its support to Numapo did not compete in the zone trial this year and thus it could not just go in to take part in the league AGM in Lae next week, adding that Port Moresby could be excluded from the meeting.
He said this was a clear understanding that Numapo should be careful because when he was the chairman he did nothing for the PNGRFL and the majority of affiliates were against his nomination.
“What is the use of voting him to the chairman position when he did not accomplish anything lasting when he was chairman,” Buka said.
He said that when Numapo was the chairman there were no zone trials and this was a very poor reflection of his ability as a manager. However, he said that under the leadership of Gary Juffa zone trials were revived and there was a genuine sense of change for the better with Juffa earning their trust in a short time.
Buka said people at the top management level must not use their  questionable methods to cheapen the office of the PNGRLF.
He said that rugby league is national sport and it is about time the real heart and soul of the sport in the country was given more attention.
Buka urged Numapo to reconsider his decision given his previous track record as head of the PNGRFL.