Unions boycott PNG rugby body AGM

Team PNG 7s team competing in the Pacific Games 7s tournament (Supplied)

Three Provincial Unions have boycotted the Papua New Guinea Rugby Union annual general meeting, citing unresolved issues by the rugby body.

Capital Rugby Union, Morobe RU and Daru RU have withdrawn from participating in the AGM, scheduled for today (1pm) at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby.

The Oceania Rugby had instructed PNGRU on July to host the AGM after failing to comply to the regional body’s constitution.

The move spearheaded by CRU and backed by Morobe and Daru rugby executives following careful review of the meeting agendas is based on the values of, fairness, transparency and accountability
The decision was prompted by PNGRU’s failure in address previous matters which include.

• lack of transparency in the selection of the representative teams and team officials
• lack of transparency in the financial reporting since 2021
• the lack of audited financial statements since 2021
• the position of treasurer vacant for over 12 months and not included in the AGM Agenda
• the late delivery of parts of the AGM reports
• lack of clarity in terms of the nomination process with PNGRU rejecting nominations from CRU and Morobe Rugby Union for the position of president and vice president

“CRU is aware of the potential consequences of this decision and will review our position as a member of PNGRU if the AGM is held without amendments,” CRU executives.

The biggest rugby union competition in the country has urged other PUs to support the position taken by CRU to improve the management of rugby union in PNG.