The 2022 Digicel Cup Rugby League Season was launched today at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
The announcement was done by PNGNRL Competition Manager Ora Gairo alongside Digicel PNG representative Ronan Wilcox, PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina, Lae Snax Tigers skipper Roy Kela and other stakeholders.
12 Teams will play footy with the top 6 to enter finals football in the first week of September. Gairo said the theme for the 2022 Season is ‘Taking the Game Higher’. The PNGNRLC Manager also presented the certificate of approval from the PNG Sport Federation Pandemic Management Committee.
“We have 50% approval at this stage mandated by the Controller and that has been granted”, said Gairo. He added that stakeholders will work together to ensure all compliance required by the Pandemic Committee is adhered to at all times.
Gairo said this year’s (2022) season will be full on. “We had a shorter season last year with 15 rounds due to Covid and its measures”. However, this year’s will be longer with 17 rounds starting this Sunday at different venues,” said Gairo.
It’s a critical year for League with managing the season around covid, and the national general elections. Gairo said a two weeks’ break will be given for players and officials to cast their votes in their respective electorates.
The PNGNRLC Manager said the season will not be possible without the huge support from major sponsors like Digicel, SP Brewery, Oil Search Kumul Petroleum Holdings among others. “We would like to see more support from the corporate sector to push the game forward,” said Gairo.
Digicel PNG representative Ronan Wilcox said the telecommunication company is delighted to continue its support for another great season of rugby league. “On behalf of Digicel PNG and its management we would like to wish the 12 franchise clubs all the best for this season,” said Wilcox.
PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina said the competition is an avenue to bridge amateur football to professional league pathways. Hondina said Digicel Cup provides that opportunity for players in the code. “We are looking forward for good start of the season. We optimistic to get one or two players at the back at end of the season into the PNG Hunters team,”, said Hondina.
The 2022 Season launch concluded with Snax Tigers Skipper Roy Kela handing over the Digicel Cup trophy to major sponsor Digicel PNG representative Ronan Wilcox.
Round 1 will begin this Sunday with games in Lae, Wabag, Goroka and Port Moresby.
Teams include defending champions Lae Snax Tigers, PRK Mendi Muruks, WNBPG Kimbe Cutters, Central Dabaris, Enga Mioks, Agmark Rabaul Gurias, Bintagor Goroka Lahanis, Kroton Hela Wigmen, Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers, Mt Hagen Eagles, PRK Gulf Isou and JPG Waghi Tumbe.
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