PNG Digicel Cup 2020

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There will be no new Teams added in 2020.


https://www.thenational.com.pg/digicel-cup-bids-rejected/

Digicel Cup bids rejected

Western, Chimbu teams failed to meet criteria, says Hondina
By PARKER TAMBUA

WESTERN Fly Storms, Mt Hagen Crushers and the Simbu Warriors have been rejected entry into the Digicel Cup next season after their bids were turned down for various reasons.

Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) manager Stanley Hondina made the announcement at a press conference in Port Moresby yesterday.

Defending champions Lae Tigers, Rabaul Gurias, Mendi Muruks, Mt Hagen Eagles, Hela Wigmen, Goroka Lahanis, Gulf Isou, Central Dabari, Enga Mioks and the Kimbe Cutters are the existing sides in the country’s premier rugby league competition.

Hondina said Storms and Warriors had failed to meet some of the competition requirements while Crushers were turned because the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League competition wasn’t keen on a second Mt Hagen team to be included at this stage.

He said Storms and Warriors had no home ground and corporate sponsors. which are two of the eligibility criteria.

Hondina asked both franchises to sort out those issues before seeking entry into the Digicel Cup competition.
“We can’t have all teams based in Port Moresby and secondly, it is required that all teams must have corporate backing regardless of whether they have government support.
“The Chimbu and Western governments have put in the effort to push their bids but for financial security reasonss it is required of them to secure a corporate sponsor as well.
“We have some bad experience of teams that were sponsored by provincial governments in the past so we have to change that.“We don’t want politics to interrupt (the competition) because that has sometimes been the case over the years.
“For the Crushers, they have met all the requirements but the (PNGNRLC) board thinks the timing isn’t right for a second Mt Hagen team.”

Hondina said if Storms and Warriors could meet the requirements within the remaining five months before the start of the new season, they could be a chance for inclusion.

 

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And 2 of the existing Teams have been told fix their home grounds and move back to their Provinces.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/wigmen-isou-told-to-go-home/

Wigmen, Isou told to go home

GULF Isou and Hela Wigmen have been warned to return to their home provinces for the Digicel Cup next season, after being based in Port Moresby for the past two years.

Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) manager Stanley Hondina said that in a press conference at the Oil Search National Football Stadium on Thursday.

He said failure to do so would result in PNGNRLC reconsidering their participation in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“I don’t make the decisions. The board will confirm and make an announcement (on their fate) after the annual general meeting in February,” Hondina said.
Hondina said Isou and Wigmen were aware of PNGNRLC’s arrangement, which had allowed for the franchises to use the Oil Search National Football Stadium (NFS) as their home ground while they sorted out their venues in Kerema (Gulf) and Tari (Hela).
“The two years ended last season so they have to return to Hela and Gulf with the board and management of both teams fully aware of the mutual understanding,” he said.

It is understood that for Wigmen, the establishment of a home venue is underway. But for Isou, there is no sign of a rugby league field being rolled out or re-developed for the Digicel Cup.
“They should go back and play their home games at their own venues,” Hondina said. “Enough time was given to them to upgrade or construct their stadium or fields.
“For Central Dabari, they are part of the National Capital District but we also encourage them to establish their own football stadium or field as well.
“We had Isou, Wigmen, Dabari and the (Port Moresby) Vipers sharing NFS last season.”

It is understood that the Vipers, sponsored by the National Capital District Commission, will move their home matches to the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium once redevelopment is completed.

The other eight franchises with own home grounds are Lae Tigers, Rabaul Gurias, Waghi Tumbe, Mt Hagen Eagles, Goroka Lahanis, Kimbe Cutters, Mendi Muruks and Enga Mioks.