Unage opposes new amendments

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Friday 17th May 2013

 CHAIRMAN of the Port Moresby Rugby League Samson Unage has fired a broadside at the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL).

This follows news that the PNGRFL intends to make amendments to the PNGRFL constitution so that the four regional directors will be the only nominees for the chairman’s seat during the AGM on May 31 in Lae.

Unage said: “I can’t believe the PNGRFL would even consider the idea. It is unconstitutional as the changes proposed to the election process by the interim committee is restricting the rights of others to contest.”

“It is discriminatory and must be rejected. I certainly will be rejecting it when it is tabled during the AGM,” Unage said.

He said PNG is a democratic country and anyone who wishes to contest for a public office should be given the opportunity to do so.

“I call on all the leagues in the country to reject this proposal by rejecting the new draft constitution proposal that introduces this new election process,” he said.

He said the four regional directors Horta Boskey (NGI), Russ Kaupa (Northern), Gwaibo Mairi (Southern) and Joe Tokam (Highlands) are only caretaker interim members until the AGM.

“Their role as caretakers ceases on May 31 as ordered by the Court and they became ordinary participants at the meeting just like other delegates,” Unage said.

Unage further posed the question as to why an important change to the election process was left until the 11th hour and why couldn’t the interim committee consult the leagues in advance.

He lastly added that the position of the chairman is on the open market and that the paying members have every right to nominate whoever they want to take the top seat.