New deadline gives Aiyok time to settle debts

By KEVIN TEME
FRANCHISE owner Kelly Aiyok remains confident that Masta Mak City Rangers will participate in this year’s Digicel Cup challenge.
Aiyok, in an interview, said that he was working around the clock to have his debts paid last Friday, the initial deadline for all franchises to pay in their K90,000 fees to participate this season.
“I called the PNG National Rugby League chairman Don Fox this afternoon (last Friday) and was informed he flew out of the country.
“With the deadline extended to March 6 gives me enough time to look for the funds to pay up the money owed,” Aiyok said.
He said this after learning that the PNGNRL had extended the deadline from the initial date.
When Fox was contacted to confirm whether the deadline was extended, The National was told that he was not available for comment because he was boarding a flight.
However, it is believed that the extension of the deadline will also allow for the final hearing of the Rangers’ fate and the signing of the Digicel’s two-year sponsorship package.
The PNGNRL board will meet on March 6 to put to rest the Rangers’ ongoing saga, the sponsorship package, which are among matters to be dealt with.
Aiyok said he would try his best to settle the K228,000 debt.
However, he added that the decision to pay the monies at once was too harsh, especially for an existing franchise club participating for the past three years.
“I will pay the debt I owe them but they have to also understand our case, we are an existing team and that decision to pay all debts at once is harsh and for me to pay at once must be reconsidered,” Aiyok said.
“If the board can allow us to pay the franchise fee and the other K58,000 owed will be sufficient.”
Aiyok said he could arrange with the PNGNRL to pay in installment of K80,000 from the home games in Port Moresby last year.
He would welcome any decision to pay and will be meeting with Fox when he returns from his trip.
Several attempts made yesterday to get Fox on all the matters concerning the Digicel sponsorship package, the Rangers fate and many other PNGNRL related issues failed.