PNG Sports Minister disappointed with Gary Lo's decision to play in England

PNG Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko

PNG Minister for sports Justin Tkatchenko said he was disappointed to hear PNG Hunters Star Gary Lo had decided to move to England. Tkatchenko who was intstrumental in helping the PNGRFL get back on its feet two years ago, said Lo's decision was unprofessional and discourteous to the Hunters Management, who had given him a chance to be a star in the QCup this year.

Lo and 3 other kumuls players Mexico, Wabo an Tali were signed by Stanley Gene last week to play for his Championship One side, the Gateshead Thunder for the new season." Its so disappointing that Gary has made this move" Tkatchenko said. "Gary is a Hunters product. What Stanley has done is unprofessional because there was no consultation either with PNGRFL or Hunters Management. 

Stanley showed no courtesy to those who trained and looked after Gary for over 12months to become what he is "Tkatchenko said".

He said Lo had attracted interest from two NRL Clubs and it would've been a matter of time before the Western Highlander, who finished the 2014 Q-Cup season as the top try scorer with 23 touch downs, was given a shot by a club from the worlds best rugby league comp.

Tkatchenko said the Championship 1 comp was inferior to the Qcup and questioned whether Lo understood the implications of his move. ''Its a big risk move for him, Its actually a downgrade on his future and potential when everyone is expecting him to be an NRL star in the near future,"Tkatchenko said. I believe the team he will play for in this comp is a third tier comp.I wonder wonder why he has to downgrade to this Level? I Believe he will receive 40 000 Pounds and that is equivalent to K160,000 per annum. That is a good incentive but it is the biggest disappointment for the PNG Hunters"

Lo's one year contract with Gateshead has Gene hopeful that the 21 year olds proven potential and that of Tali, Mexico and Wabo will eventually enable them to break into the English Super League

"I just hope that this doesn't happen again in the future and that proper procedures must be set now for Hunters players to sign 3 year contracts to have continuity in the team, a proper team to be in place to later be the Qcup champs