Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has held their annual general meeting, on Saturday 6th June in Port Moresby with Members from all Southern, Momase, Highlands and Niugini regions in attendance.
During the meeting all Director positions were declared open with Members voting on the following positions:
- Chairman – Sandis Tsaka (re-elected)
- Southern Confed Director – Gwaibo Mairi (re-elected)
- Highlands Confed Director – Joe Tokam (re-elected – unopposed)
- Northern Confed Director – Robin Iveke (new Director) – former Northern Confed Game Development Officer
- Niugini Islands Confed Director – Nick Lyons (new Director)
Sandis Tsaka will serve as Chair for a third consecutive term having received a convincing 36 votes out of a possible 40. Having already served six years in the position, another term will further strengthen the stability of rugby league in Papua New Guinea.
To date, Tsaka has overseen the growth of the game to over 15,000 players nationally and development of the elite program with PNG Kumuls and PNG Orchids ranking 6 and 4 in the world respectively. He has been a key driver in bringing blockbuster international fixtures to the country, hosting three sold-out Rugby League World Cup matches in 2017 and going on to beat the Great Britain Rugby League Lions during their historic tour of PNG in 2019.
Tsaka, who is also Chairman of Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC) and a Director of International Rugby League (IRL) said “I am extremely honoured to have been returned as PNGRFL Chair for another 3-year term and I would like to thank all Members and the team at PNGRFL for their continued support”.
Greg Peters, Chief Executive Officer for New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) and Vice Chairman of APRLC has offered his congratulations to Mr Tsaka “Sandis has shown great leadership with PNGRFL and throughout the Asia Pacific region. The strength of rugby league in Papua New Guinea is testament to his hard work and we look forward to continuing work with PNGRFL to further grow the game in the region”.
Mr Tsaka is now leading the start of the Digicel Cup that has been put on hold due to COVID-19 and continues to explore options for international fixtures with APRLC and the Oceania Cup, 2020.
