Lae administrator calls for apology

Press, 15 August 1986, Page 36

Lae administrator calls for apology

PA Port Moresby Lae rugby league officials have been blamed for the cancellation of Wednesday night’s game between Northern Zone and the Kiwis.

The city’s leading local government administrator, Royden Algal, has called for an apology to be made to the New Zealand Rugby League because of the sub-stand-ard ground conditions. “I appeal to the Kiwis to show understanding and not use this to damage Papua New Guinea’s image overseas,” he was quoted in the “PostCourier” newspaper. Mr Aigal accused the Lae rugby league executive of failing to adequately prepare the ground in time for the match.

“The treatment given to the Kiwis gives a very

bad impression of Lae.

“It saddens me that the Kiwis could not be given the treatment according to international standards,” he said. • The tourists spent a peaceful night on Wednesday after supporters had marched on the hotel where the Kiwis were staying, angry at the abandonment of the match against Northern Zone. The Kiwis had prepared themselves for a sleepless night but a strong police and security guard presence in and around the hotel deterred trouble makers. Locals became incensed early on Wednesday evening after hearing New Zealand had refused to play because of the condition of the ground. Rocks and stones were embedded in the surface.