PNGRFL have 20 affiliates

By KEVIN TEME
TWENTY leagues around the country have affiliated with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) for the 2012 season while 33 have expressed interest.
PNGRFL Highlands regional coordinator Joe Tokam, who is also spearheading the preparations for the overdue PNGRFL annual general meeting in Lae this Saturday, confirmed this last Friday.
Tokam said only 20 leagues had fully complied with the criterion which gave them voting rights at the PNGRFL AGM.
“Some have already affiliated but because of communication problems I may not have confirmed them.
“Otherwise, we have confirmed 20 leagues that can now vote at the AGM,” Tokam said.
Tokam said the 33 leagues that had not met the requirement yet but have expressed interest could still affiliate with PNGRFL later given its deadline that would be set by the new board once they announced them after the AGM in Lae.
The leagues that have been affiliated are Kimbe, Gazelle, Ulamona and Manus for the New Guinea Islands region while for the Southern region, Port Moresby and Central are in.
For Northern, Lae, Madang, Kainantu and Vanimo have affiliated while the Highlands has Kundaiwa, Keromil, Banz, Mt Hagen, Wabag, Mendi, Tari, Pangia and Tabubil.
Tokam also confirmed that one of the biggest rugby league playing centres Goroka has not yet affiliated while it only expressed its interest and will not be taking part at the AGM.
The centres that have expressed interests but are yet to register are Duke of York, Ramohaina, Hoskins, Bialla, Lihir, Mosa RL, Central Nakahai, Buka, Avava and Kavieng (NGIP), Goroka, Minz, Nondogul, Kindeng, Fatima, Kudjip-Baining, Gomis, Ialibu, Imbongu, Magarima, Komo, Pogera and Kondopina (Highlands), Rigo, Hall Sound Bay from Kairuku, Pom Suburban League and Balimo (Southern), Ramu, Bulolo-Wau and Tumerizah from Kainantu will still have the opportunity to affiliate with the PNGRFL.
Those leagues will not be playing an active part at the AGM.