Lepa to sue Mal Meninga for breaching K7.5 million contract as Kumuls coach

Timothy Lepa 

The CEO of Papua New Guinea's largest domestic off-season rugby league competition, the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup, is set to sue former Kumuls coach Mal Meninga.

Timothy Lepa, who has been the competition's CEO for the last two decades, has issued a press release confirming that he is set to take legal action against Mal Meninga as first defendant for breaching his K7.5m contract as PNG Kumuls coach.

Also facing action is PNG Rugby League chairman Sandis Tsaka as second defendant, for signing Meninga’s contract as PNG Kumuls coach.

Outgoing PNG Rugby League CEO Brad Tassel is the third defendant in the case, as a result of Meninga's breach of contract in leaving his job as Kumuls coach early.

Lepa has stated that he is taking the action on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, as rugby league is the national sport, and Meninga's contract was paid for out of taxpayers' money.

"This is the first step to uncover the gross mismanagement and corruption at the PNG Rugby League," said Mr Lepa.

"Where tax payers money is being used to pay consultants and officials in the PNG Rugby League who have been benefiting of this money, and thus hindering the progress and development of rugby league at the Junior and grass roots level.

"Once the Court uncovers the breach in Meninga’s contract then all contracts of technical advisors and board directors in the PNG Rugby League will be tabled in court so the court can review the legality of these contracts and decide if they are legal or illegal contracts.

"Many of the PNG Rugby League Business ventures are currently operational, however the profits derived from these business ventures are not being felt at the rural and grassroots level where rugby league is struggling and slowly dying.

"Most of the profits are being used by the board members and technical advisors who benefit of this thus ignoring the plight of rugby league in PNG.

"As an advocate of rugby league development in the rural leagues, rural associations are still suffering even though the National Government has pledged funding to help support and grow League in rural areas.

"This only highlights that all funding allocated is being used & mismanaged at the national level by administrators and technical advisors."