Lo in the clear

By JACK AMI
FORMER PNG Hunters flyer Garry Lo has been given the green to return to the Digicel Cup after being released from UK Super League side Castleford Tigers last month.
Lo, 24, was freed by the Tigers by mutual consent, just six months into a two-year deal, after voluntarily helping Yorkshire Police with an inquiry.
The Western Highlander was back in the country, moving between Mt Hagen and Port Moresby, and was expected to join a Digicel Cup side, either the Waghi Tumbe or another Highlands franchise, but as of yesterday neither Lo nor a club made announcement.
Hunters coach Michael Marum, pictured, said it was unlikely Lo would return to playing in the Q-Cup for the SP-sponsored club given his history with them and his current situation.
“I don’t think so. It’s unlikely he’ll play for us. Garry has been out of action for close to three months now and besides we need players who show discipline at this level.
“But I wish him all the best in the Digicel Cup. I hope he does well,” Marum said yesterday from Kokopo.
Lo was granted a conditional clearance by the PNG Rugby Football League to take part in any of their sanctioned competitions.
“The conditional clearance allows Garry Lo to register and participate in any affiliated local league or for a PNG National Rugby League Competition franchise,” Digicel Cup manager Stanley Hondina said yesterday.
“PNGRFL, through chairman Sandis Tsaka, made the decision after much deliberation in reviewing Garry’s case.”
Tsaka had advised Lo in a letter dated June 19 that it had taken some time to deliberate on this matter as relevant information pertaining to the player’s conduct and documents from authorities in England had not been forwarded to the PNGRFL by Castleford.
Tsaka said since the deadline for the submissions and registration of players in Papua New Guinea was on Saturday, the league had taken the decision to allow the Kumuls winger to register and be eligible to play in PNG pending the final determination of his case.
The conditions of the clearance were: 1) that he would be allowed to play in PNG until any further contrary advice from England and subsequently final determinations by PNGRFL on the matter in question and; 2) that he was to strictly adhere to all the rules, regulations and codes of conduct of PNGRFL.
“Participation in any PNGRFL-sanctioned programme is a privilege, conditional to compliance with the rules of membership and will be immediately rescinded or denied at the discretion of the PNGRFL in accordance with its rules,” Tsaka said.