Isou release head coach Hukula

By PATRICIA KEAMO
GULF Isou chairman Mai Ori has confirmed that the franchise has released Nigel Hukula after the head coach decided not to get vaccinated. “Hukula said it was a personal choice to (not get vaccinated) so under the rules that were set by the governing body, we have no choice but to release him and appoint assistant coach Bagelo Solien as his replacement,” Ori told The National yesterday. “Under the rules that the National Pandemic Control Centre has set, the criteria for the season to kick-off (is that) we have to get all our officials and players vaccinated. It was a bit of a chaos (for the club) because we had some players who didn’t want to (get vaccinated) because of misinformation and anxiety.”
Ori said Solien’s appointment would ensure a smooth transition. “We’re happy with him, it’s good because he was Nigel’s assistant and we just had to bring him in as the coach,” he said. “He was the successful coach who was instrumental in the Papua New Guinea Orchids’ historic win over England. (Given) his experience, we are happy and things haven’t changed too much, he basically has been following what has been set in place (by Hukula).” Meanwhile, Isou team manager Raymond Aru said they had acknowledged Hukula for his input during last season and the 2021 pre-season. “The team have also talked about this game as a game that we’d like to give back to Hukula,” he said. “We want to give back to him for his efforts and time.”