Warriors in talks with PNGNRLC over bid

DISCUSSIONS between the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) and the Simbu Warriors have been ongoing despite the rejection of the franchise’s Digicel Cup bid, says an official.
Warriors bid committee member Gibson Siune said while the rejection of the bid was unfortunate, the committee was keen on maintaining dialogue with PNGNRLC to address the matter.
“After being informed that our bid was declined, communication has been ongoing with PNGNRLC and they’re aware that the decision has not gone down well with Simbu,” he said. “It has been widely circulated through social media, but communication between us has been ongoing.
“They have given a time frame for the Kundiawa Rugby League to appeal the decision and this is not just for us, but our youths in the province.
“Our youths are involved in drugs and alcohol, we’ve got a lot of social problems.” He said they wanted to use rugby league to address those problems, so that was why they were still pushing for the bid to be re-considered.
Siune said securing a new major sponsor in Papua New Guinea Health Assurance had addressed PNGNRLC’s concerns about Waghi Food Processors being the franchise’s sponsor.
PNGNRLC said having Waghi Food Processors as the franchise’s proposed naming rights sponsor was unacceptable as it breached exclusive rights granted under current competition commercial arrangements.