Toll takes over suspended Mendi RL

Sports

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League has suspended the Mendi Rugby League administration under president Barclay Tenza for the next 12 months.
Mendi resident and local businessman Emmanuel Toll, pictured, has been appointed as the caretaker administrator.
PNGRFL Highlands Confederate director Joe Tokam said the PNGRFL board at its meeting last week in Port Moresby suspended Tenza and his administration and appointed Toll to take charge of the league’s affairs immediately.
“The Mendi League administration has deteriorated over the years with the office bearers and league presidents not developing the game but using their positions for self-interest,” Tokam said.
He said Tenza since taking up the presidency in 2015 had allowed the competition to stagnate with one season’s playoffs called off and a general lack of competition management.
Tokam said local businesses and politicians who had supported the league over the past three years had seen little progress.
“Some of these people are concerned with the lack of administration and the development of the sport in the province hence we are taking this action to move the game forward,” Tokam said.
Tokam said Toll, who is managing partner of Red Ant Communications in the Southern Highlands, had the resources and expertise to get the league back to a positive state that would enable growth and development.
“Toll’s immediate task is to affiliate clubs and register players in the Under-20, A grade and women’s divisions and organise a pre-season competition,” Tokam said.
“He also must pay the K500 affiliated fee before the end of March.”
Toll’s appointment is for the next 12 months during which time a competition must be held and completed with the grand finals in September.
“He must call for a special general meeting after the final to elect a new executive,” Tokam said.
Toll will represent Mendi League at the PNGRFL’s AGM on Feb 26 in Port Moresby.