PNGRFL eyes bid to cut costs

BY MICHAEL WARTOVO
ORGANISERS of the Digicel Cup are assessing whether the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League’s (PNGRFL) Covid-19 protocols are applicable in Kimbe and Kokopo in a bid to cut costs on venue hire, especially in Port Moresby.
PNG National Rugby League Competition manager Stanley Hondina said that when he visited the Rabaul Gurias’ Kalabond Oval in Kokopo, East New Britain, last week.
He said PNGRFL’s “new normal” would apply in order to host Digicel Cup matches in Kokopo.
“This is the first stage of inspection that we are doing here and in Kimbe as we are ready to bring the Digicel Cup to selected venues,” Hondina said.
“We’ll see if the venues can apply PNGRFL’s Covid-19 protocols, which have been approved by the PNG Sports Foundation.
“At the moment, Port Moresby and Lae are hosting Digicel Cup matches under the protocols.
“PNGRFL’s Covid-19 committee is setting up washing stations near each playing venue alongside a cooling station set up for players.
“There will be two restricted zones.
“Players and officials will have access to zone one while the second restricted area will be occupied by spectators only.
“The zoning system that we have come with is to make sure that players and officials remain on the field until the games end.
“We developed the system in line with the protocols in order to help protect everyone from the virus.”
“Once all the requirements are met in Kokopo then we shall looking at hosting Digicel Cup matches here.”