The return of rugby league is edging closer in Papua New Guinea after the PNGRFL was granted conditional approval to begin a revised 2020 domestic season.
State of Emergency Controller, David Manning, said the submission for one domestic competition would be approved pending further details on crowd control and training plans for the clubs medical team responsible for Covid-19 protocols.
"It is the only one [submission] received thus far from any sporting body within PNG which gives due consideration to the Covid-19 health protocols for the new normal after the State of Emergency," he said.
"The one competition can allow the PNGRFL to better mitigate the risks and opportunity to adjust and improve to be fully compliant with Covid-19 protocols under the new normal."
Ase Boas converted four of the Hunters five tries. Photo: QRL Media
All sporting programs in PNG were suspended in March due to Covid-19.
PNGRFL Chairman, Sandis Tsaka, said operational plans for the Digicel Cup competition were underway and a season kick-off date would be announced soon.
"We are grateful for the positive feedback and are greatly encouraged by this approval to kick-off one competition, and that will be our professional premier competition the Digicel Cup," he said.
"We look forward to presenting our revised strategies which address the two conditions raised to ensure the competition can start."