New league holds off Digicel Cup ambitions

THE Motu Koita Rugby League Association have plans to get a side into the Digicel Cup competition within four years.
In a press conference this week MKRLA chairman Dai Boe and competition manager Lakani Oala, pictured, spoke of their development structures which would pave way for a Digicel Cup side in the near future.
“Having a team in the Digicel Cup is one of our main targets and we hope to get into the competition in three or four times time,” Oala said.
“We were asked to nominate last year to take part this year but we believe that we are still in our infancy stage so we want to establish ourselves properly to be ready for the Digicel Cup and not rush things.”
Boe said they plan to solidify their foundations and pathways before they get a team into the country’s semi-professional competition.
“There has been a lot of talk going on whether or not Motu Koita should have a franchise in the Digicel Cup,” Boe said.
“It’s a good idea and a good concept and we are excited about it but we don’t want to rush it because there is a lot at stake when it comes to looking after a semi-professional franchise and ensuring all the effort is not wasted.
“Some of the pre-requisites to ensure that the franchise runs well is the junior development programmes apart from funding and infrastructure.
“We want to make sure that our junior development pathway is well established,” Boe said.
“If we have a lot of support from the corporate houses then we will go for it but this is one of our biggest goals and we are not rushing so it may happen in three or four years,” he said.
“We want to ensure that our foundation is solid.”