Digicel Cup organisers must take responsibility for actions --------------------------------------------------------------> The 2014 Digicel Cup final will most likely be deferred to a later date after finalists, Hela Wigmen, moved to boycott the match. Their reason was that the game game was rescheduled to Kalabond in Kokopo after the Lae Rugby League ground was listed as the venue for the final by the PNG National Rugby League at the start of the season. The Wigmen, who qualified for the final for the first time by upsetting the Lae Tigers 22-20 in last Sunday’s semi-final in Lae, face the Agmark Gurias, who disposed of a tired Enga Mioks outfit 38-14 in Kokopo. The Wigmen claim that playing the game in Kokopo gives the Gurias a huge advantage because it is their home ground and the other argument is they were not consulted for their input when the decision was made to change grand final venue. Although the Wigmen do have a point, the competition organisers have given their reasons for moving the final to Kokopo. A better quality field (playing surface), good seating, good security and a well-behaved crowd seem to be the main reasons. The LRL on the other hand has seen several instances of unruly crowd behaviour and was not considered conducive to genuine fans who want to watch the final without incident. The Wigmen must appreciate that the competition organisers make decisions in the interests of the game as a whole. The Port Moresby Vipers won last year’s grand final in Port Moresby but this will be the first time a cup final is played in a centre outside Port Moresby and Lae. The organisers must take responsibility for this situation as they should have consulted with all the teams before making their decision. The Wigmen must not hold the competition at ransom and come to a compromise. Source: The National, Friday August 22nd, 2014
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 01:39:31 +0000
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