Schools league, Digicel Cup postponed

ALL Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League-sanctioned competitions, including the Digicel Cup and the National Schools Rugby League, and programmes have been postponed for at least 11 weeks due to the coronavirus.
The Digicel Cup – which was scheduled to kick off on April 5 – will now begin on June 5, provided the situation improves.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said the postponement was unfortunate but like any responsible governing body, it was the right call to suspend the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“The situation is serious so we have to suspend all competitions and programmes for the sake of the health and welfare of all those involved in rugby league,” he said in Port Moresby yesterday. “We are the regulatory body so we are suspending the Digicel Cup and all our competitions nationwide.
“All affiliated league throughout the country are strictly advised to be adhere to the suspension.
“We will not hesitate to penalise league who defy this order.”
Tsaka asked Digicel Cup franchises for their understanding and cooperation throughout the suspension.
“We know franchises have spent a substantial amount of money during the pre-season but we have to take into account the seriousness of the pandemic,” he said.
“We’ve set June 5 but it’s tentative. We have to keep monitoring and assessing the situation to make absolutely sure that it is safe to begin and resume our competitions and programmes.”
Meanwhile, Tsaka said the PNGRFL annual general meeting would still take place at the Oil Search National Football Stadium on March.