Juffa responds to criticism of Kumuls

EMBATTLED PNGRFL interim committee member Gary Juffa has taken full responsibility for the PNG Telikom Kumuls’ dismal performance at the Four Nations.
In an email yesterday to The National Juffa acknowledged the wide spread criticism of his team as being expected but said more needed to be done for the game in the country to  in order to reap the benefits.
“The criticism is expected after a performance that certainly no Papua New Guinean would be happy with,”Juffa said.
“However, one needs to understand that to be competitive internationally, PNG needs to invest significantly in rugby league.
“Without a junior development programme, without a school boys programme, with no professional competition, with no infrastructure and no international standard facilities, we cannot compete on the international scene and expect positive results,” he added.
Juffa assured league affiliates, fans and sponsors that a report of the Kumuls performances would be submitted to the Sports Ministry  with recommendations on what needed to be done to ensure PNG’s international competitiveness.
He also said that advice from league experts in Australia, New Zealand and England would be included in the report.
“I accept all the responsibility and am in no way making excuses but I ask stakeholders to understand that there is no quick fix but a strategic, protracted effort with investment in infrastructure, administration, human resources and so forth.”
Juffa said he was still interested in carrying on with the PNGRFL and said he would attend the AGM next month with that view in mind.
“The affiliated leagues can determine who is in charge at the AGM. I have put my hand up to do the hard work despite the criticism but if the affiliated leagues decide on someone else, I will gladly step aside and support that person.
“Nothing is ever achieved overnight, while many are happy to turn up for the feast, few actually wish to work in the garden.
“This is the PNG way and, of course, critics abound. I am not making excuses and I accept all the blame with no hesitation.”