Nami joins Muruks

By BENJAMIN KOITAKA
PREMIERSHIP winning coach Glen Nami has signed with the Mendi Muruks for the Digicel Cup season.
Nami guided the Goroka Lahanis to win the Digicel Cup last year after taking charge of the franchise mid-season.
The former PNG Kumul and Lahanis player was released by the Lahanis over the off-season for unspecified reasons however media reports quoted Nami as saying a difference in opinion over the management of the Eastern Highlands franchise had led to his departure.
The Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK)-sponsored Muruks moved in to snap up one of the country’s rising rugby league coaches who created something of a record winning a title in his first season at the helm of a club in the semi-professional competition.
The Muruks board made the announcement in Port Moresby saying the 33-year-old would be tasked with turning the Southern Highlands club’s fortune’s around after they missed the playoffs last year.
Muruks chairman Isaac Joseph said Nami was a great acquisition for the franchise and would bring his own style and methods to the role.
Joseph said Nami’s credentials included being involved with the SP PNG Hunters programme and having valuable insight as a former player in the Digicel Cup competition as well as having played for the country.
“He brings invaluable experience and knowledge in building a winning rugby league team, building culture and developing pathways for juniors,” Joseph said.
“Glen’s involvement hopefully helps us develop not just Muruks but also our local leagues as well.”
Joseph said Nami’s results spoke for him with the Eastern Highlander able to turn a middling club last season into a premiership winner which saw them win 10 straight games on their way to the title.
Joseph, a former MP for the Mendi Open electorate, promised fans, sponsors and stakeholders that the issues the Muruks had faced last year with regards to their management had been addressed with the removal of the previous staff and the installment of a new one that was neutral and impartial and committed to delivering results on and off the field.
Nami said he was happy to be with the Muruks and was looking forward to the new challenge.
“I thank the management and sponsors of the Mendi Muruks and I’m looking forward to coaching the side and helping with the development programme,” Nami said.
Nami’s contract is for this season with the option of extending it to the 2020 season.
The Muruks finished in the bottom half of the ladder last year.
The Muruks board also announced the appointment of a new franchise manager Eric Alom.
“PRK have reaffirmed their commitment to remain the Muruks naming rights sponsor for the season,” Joseph said.
“The Muruks are learning from the lessons of the past to change in order to restore lost pride.”
The Muruks board also announced a 63-man squad that will assemble in Mendi next week.