Starting comps defend on observing health rules

KICKING off Southern competitions will depend on the capacity of following strict health protocols during the Covid-19 state of emergency, says a Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) official.
Southern Confederate director Gwaibo Mairi told The National that competitions and programmes would be reviewed in terms of their ability to practise basic hygiene. “The Covid-19 pandemic is having a drastic impact on all the programmes,” he said.
“In order for us to approve a shorter season, we are going to consider leagues that have the capacity to adhere to the health regulations imposed by the Government through the state of emergency.
“Until then, we can’t make a decision. The top-end programmes (Digicel Cup) have been dramatically impacted but we are trying to work things out given the orders from the PNGRFL through the National Rugby League Competition.”
Meanwhile, Mairi said a shorter season was a viable option for the leagues to consider as it would be a disadvantage to have no games at all for the year. We’re trying to think of shorter competitions and we can’t let matches start immediately (once the state of emergency is lifted) as the PNGRFL chairman (Sandis Tsaka) has stated.
“But we also can’t afford to have a year go by without rugby league so we have to get in line with the interests of all our stakeholders.”