Williams calls for rugby to convene AGM

FORMER Pukpuk and Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union president Soiat Williams has called on incumbent Ben Frame to restore a duly-elected board to administer and manage the sports affairs in the country.
Williams said Frame needed to apply some common sense and display a willingness to help rugby come out its current quagmire in order for the sport to make progress and develop unhindered.
He said the co-opted board as ordered by the National Court, was a transitional group whose primary task was to agree on the due process and procedures to facilitate the convening of the election of the new PNGRFU board.
“Since the National Court orders has stopped Ben Frame and his colleagues from any direct or indirect involvement with any PNGRFU matters both domestically and internationally, he’s continued involvement in rugby is untenable and redundant,” Williams said.
“For the sake of rugby, there must be willingness on his part not only to relinquish the post but prepare himself to contest the AGM should he be interested in the position.”
Given the ban of Frame and his board, Williams urged all parties to throw their support behind Michael Uiari, who holds the position of honorary secretary of the PNGRFU in order to facilitate the meeting of all affiliates and elect the new PNGRFU board.
“The meeting must take place by the end of this month.
“Ben Frame’s suggestion for the meeting to be had in November is unacceptable and will continue to deny rugby’s pathway for growth and opportunities to be part of the HSBC World Sevens Series and our preparations for the coming World Cup Sevens in San Francisco this year,” he said.
Williams urged Frame and those involved in the current power struggle to unite for good to rugby.
“The convening of the AGM is desperately needed and is the only means and solution to get rugby moving forward.”