Opi retains post as PMRLRA president

PORT Moresby Rugby League Referees Association president Guma Opi has retained his post after the annual general meeting last Saturday.
His arch rival Ben Kaupa will be his new deputy. Opi mustered eight votes to five to retain the presidency.
Senior referee Tony Kuni won the treasury post unopposed while the secretary is Michael Kalp.
After his election, Opi said his executives would be working closely with the Port Moresby Rugby League Association executives to provide avenues for interested referees to learn the new rules that were now used internationally.
Opi said he was equipped with the right knowledge and skills, including materials to help the new referees.
He is also inviting the referees to attend refresher courses and the clinics he would be running early next year.
Opi, who is also the PNG National Referees Association president, thanked everyone, the local PRL clubs and the nine franchise clubs from the bemobile Cup for a good season this year.
“This year has been good despite few problems encountered by my referees. We managed to go through successful and I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you who in one way or another helped make this season a success,” Opi said.
He added that he was looking forward to a better season next year.
Opi is also inviting women to take up refereeing.
“We will be having a women’s rugby league competition soon so I invite women to come for the referees’ refresher courses and clinics I will be running in January,” Opi said.
There is a strong interest for women to take up refereeing in rugby league.
“It is good to have women in a sport dominated by men, and now that women are playing rugby league, it is good to encourage them to take up refereeing as well,” Opi said.