Madang ‘ready’ to join Cup

Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
MADANG Rugby League’s Digicel Cup bid team, Madang Kwilas, have appealed to Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition to consider new franchises for the 2022 season.
Competition manager Ora Gairo recently said the nationwide Coronavirus situation may not allow for an expansion to the 12-team Digicel Cup next year.
But Kwilas chairman Bhreed Kinjakali told The National yesterday that they had prepared well to bid for inclusion in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“We have met all the requirements and are set to bid for Digicel Cup entry next year,” he said.
“But unfortunately, the current situation may allow for that (expansion).
“Madang once had an inter-city club known as Torotas 20 years ago, so it’s not a new thing – we are only reviving it under a new brand.
“Our player base is large, so we can even pick the entire squad from within the province.
“But as per the competition policy, we still have to recruit 25 per cent of the squad from outside centres.
“The bulk of the squad will be picked from our league.
“We will recruit some players from Divine Word University, Ramu league and the rugby union competition in the town.
“We have the Ron Albert Oval and an alternate venue at Ramu, which is owned by one of our sponsors, Ramu Agri Industries.”
Kinjakali said they had a lot of corporate and private sponsors, all willing to back the side.
“The Madang bid should be ready by the end of December to present to the competition,” he said.
“We have the support of our Governor Peter Yama, British American Tobacco, Divine Word University, Pacific Corporate and Brian Bell, among others.”