Three submit bids

Digicel Cup teams for next season to be named tomorrow: Hondina

By JACK AMI
THREE franchises – Fly River Storms, Simbu Warriors and Mt Hagen Crushers – have submitted their bids for entry into the Digicel Cup next season, according to an official.
Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition manager Stanley Hondina told The National yesterday that from the three bids, the Warriors were seeking re-entry.
“Fly River Storms and Mt Hagen Crushers are new sides,” he said.
Hondina said the Warriors’ bid last season was rejected due to their home venue being upgraded as per PNGNRLC requirement.
“If the Crushers make the cut, they will be the second Western Highlands team in the competition. The Mt Hagen Eagles are already competing,” he said. “It will be interesting which franchises are accepted for next season and it depends on whether they meet all the requirements.”
Hondina said the franchises granted entry would pay K400,000 each to take part in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“All the current 12 franchises — Lae Tigers, Hela Wigmen, Port Moresby Vipers, Gulf Isou, Central Dabaris, Waghi Tumbe, Rabaul Gurias, Hagen Eagles, Goroka Lahanis, Mendi Muruks, Enga Mioks and Kimbe Cutters — will pay K300,000 and K200,000,” he said.
“This is because Isou, Dabaris and Cutters had only joined the competition last season.
“We have advised all the existing 12 franchises to also submit their interest to compete next season.
“This is the process and all franchises have been informed to do so if they are still interested to participate in the competition next year.”
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said earlier this year that the competition would be expanded with the inclusion of two new teams every year until all 22 provinces were covered.
The teams confirmed will be announced at the National Football Stadium tomorrow morning.