Juffa withdraws from race for chairmanship

By KEVIN TEME
FORMER PNGRFL interim committee member and candidate for the PNGRFL chairman’s post, Gary Juffa has declined his nomination for the position of chairman at this month’s AGM.
Juffa has also confirmed that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw court proceedings against the interim committee as the case had achieved its outcome – stopping the 2011 AGM from being held and the paying of K5,000 by individual leagues has nomination fees set by their interim committee.
“I took this case on behalf of the affiliated leagues throughout the country because the interim committee under the chairmanship of John Numapo had failed to adhere to court instructions and had run a unilateral show,” Juffa stated.
“The so-called acting administrator had failed to coordinate the registration of affiliated leagues and prepare them for the AGM.
“Suddenly with no consultation as had been the case, they increased the fees to K5,000.”
Jufa said the majority of leagues were not prepared and had no idea what was going on.
“The interim committee failed to meet at all and never took it upon itself to organise an AGM for the leagues.
“I am ashamed I was part of this failed committee and had to take this court order out to protect the interests of the leagues.”
In last Saturday’s gathering of affiliated leagues in Lae attended the scheduled AGM.They were joined by ARL and RLIF and former acting administrator Ivan Ravu and Kumuls coach Adrian Lam where Juffa advised the leagues that he would have to decline the nomination put forward by Port Moresby Rugby League (PRL).
He said he had enough on his plate given he was preparing for the upcoming elections and would not be able to concentrate on running the affairs of PNGRFL.
He thanked POMRFL and other affiliated leagues throughout the country that had supported him and stood by him during the time he was in charge of PNGRFL and in his efforts to overhaul rugby league.  
Meanwhile, Juffa also asked the O’Neill government to  review the NRL Bid office which was according to him soaking up substantial public funds and achieving nothing but enriching consultants.