Ongoing lack of transparency within PNGRU is troubling

Source: Post Courier

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Union (PNGRFU) management has come under fire from three Provincial Unions expressing their dissatisfaction with the current leadership.

Led by the two biggest associations - the Capital Rugby Union (CRU) and the Morobe Rugby Union (MRU) plus the Daru Rugby Union - on behalf of the affiliated and associate members of the PNG Rugby Union (PNGRU), the three associations via a press statement expressed their profound concern and dissatisfaction with the current management and leadership of the PNGRU.

They said that since the current administration assumed office in 2021, they have observed numerous instances of non-compliance with statutory requirements and the Associations Act, notably the failure to conduct Annual General Meetings and a lack of corporate governance in financial management.

Capital Rugby Union president Kori Chan said: "The ongoing lack of transparency and accountability within the PNGRU is deeply troubling.

"Our efforts to engage constructively with the current administration have been met with resistance and inaction. It is imperative that we take decisive steps to address these issues to safeguard the future of rugby union in Papua New Guinea."

He further went to say that their members have been deprived of the opportunity to review or access essential policies and procedures, which should have been developed and implemented in critical areas, including:

This lack of governance and accountability to our members, sponsors, and the nation as a whole compels us to demand immediate answers from the national body with potential action to be taken by the members, added Chan.

Morobe Rugby Union president Lionel Kamiak chimed in to say that their priority is to restore integrity and trust in the administration of rugby union in PNG.

"We owe it to our players, sponsors, and the passionate rugby community to ensure that the sport is managed with the highest standards of governance and transparency."

"We strongly believe that the current PNGRU leadership has failed to be transparent in critical areas of finance and administration, adversely affecting the development of rugby and the welfare of our players.

Despite repeated reminders from our members about their obligations and responsibilities, the current PNGRU administration has continued to ignore and fail to deliver on these critical issues.

The Member Unions, as representative bodies of passionate rugby union stakeholders in Papua New Guinea, stands united in our call for these urgent matters to be addressed and for much needed reforms to take effect.

Daru Rugby Union president Rupert Tubua said they are committed to ensuring that the governance and administration of rugby in PNG be restored to reflect the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.