Rau defers AGM

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has deferred by a month due to coronavirus its annual general meeting (AGM), which was scheduled to take place on Saturday.
“As a responsible organisation, all directives from the Government and relevant authorities during this difficult times must be respected and complied with,” PNGRFL chief executive Reatau Rau said in a statement.
“For the next 14 days starting yesterday, there will be no domestic air travel and public transportation within provinces,” Rau said.
“With this directive in effect, all presidents will not be able to travel into Port Moresby.
“The Government has declared a state of emergency and every citizen must adhere to the guidelines and conditions stated.
“This decision and directive supersedes our PNGRFL constitution and it’s relevant laws, rules and regulations.
“For now, I urge everyone to be calm and spread the message of basic hygiene, cleanliness and social distancing within your families and communities, and stay safe during this time of uncertainty.
“We pray to our God Almighty for his care and blessings always.”
This is the second time the AGM has been deferred.
The initial meeting was called off on March 7 following the PNGRFL’s 11th-hour findings over eligibility issues.
The election of a PNGRFL chairman and four confederate directors is scheduled to be held during the AGM.
The latest deferral comes a week after the PNGRFL’s decision to impose an 11-week suspension of all sanctioned competitions and programmes as a preventative measure amid the global pandemic.
Meanwhile, the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters, who are in quarantine after returning from Brisbane on March 18, are out of Intrust Super Cup action until June 5.