Isou release 18 from squad

By JACK AMI
THE Gulf Isou board cut 18 players last Thursday after they complained over their welfare issues including match payments and their contracts.
The players, who did not wish to be identified, said they had raised their concern but the management had not addressed it adequately.
Player spokesman said the majority of the squad had felt the board had ignored their concerns and they had reacted by staging a walkout.
“We are not going back there when they are mistreating and misusing our services with poor incentives,” the spokesman said.
“There is no standard match payment. We get paid between K100 and K400 a game and that is not right.”
The group was stranded at Manu Auto Port on Thursday night but were helped by Gulf businessman Alex Hearo who was called by one of his players from Kerema Rugby League.
Hearo was surprised with the action by the board.
He said managing a franchise was not an easy thing and the board needed to look after its players.
“They should give priority to the players’ welfare first,” Hearo said.
Hearo said the issues of payments were not a new thing in the semi-professional competition.
“I was surprised that the Isou management chose to take this drastic action against this many players. They need to manage things better.
“Now they have to go and look for players in the middle of the season.”
An Isou side featuring several Digicel Cup debutants were thrashed 54-4 by the AGmark Gurias on Saturday in their round 12 Digicel Cup fixture.