The administration of cricket at the national level in Papua-New Guinea is under scrutiny following calls by its two strongest associations, Lae and Port Moresby, for the PNG Cricket Board to urgently convene its first Annual General Meeting in over five years.

Officials of both Lae (LCA) and Port Moresby Cricket Associations (PMCA) warned that if the PNGCB did not respond promptly to requests for an AGM they would attempt to force the PNGCB to do so through court action.

"The PMCA has been in contact with us and we are mobilising to see if we can force the PNGCB to hold an AGM," Lae Cricket Association President, Kano Gamoga, a lawyer, said yesterday.

Port Moresby Cricket Association President, Brian Amini shared Mr. Gamoga's opinion that the PNGCB's constitution was open to challenge.

"The PNGCB constitution has a lot of loopholes and can be easily manipulated," Mr. Amini said.

Port Moresby and Lae officials see an AGM as the first step in addressing issues which they say are seriously affecting the game's future in PNG.

Their views have been supported by PNGCB executive member, William Maha, in the PNG media this week.

They cite a perceived lack of accountability and transparency by the PNGCB executive.

"They haven't tabled a report for the last five years on finance or their plans for cricket," Mr. Amini said. "They meet very secretly and decide something and then we read about it in the 'papers and get a shock. The ICC (International Cricket Council) pours plenty of money into cricket here and noone knows where it goes. We (the provincial associations) don't get any."

Both Mr. Amini and Mr. Gamoga said the ICC was not at fault, as it acted on the information it is given by PNGCB officials.

"When they come here they are kept away from local officials and don't get the true picture," Mr. Amini explained.

Port Moresby officials complain that the Amini Park facility, opened amid much publicity, has fallen into disrepair since Allan Border performed the first turning of the soil ceremony last year.

The PMCA, which normally provides at least half of the national team, first learnt Papua-New Guinea was playing in the Pacifica Cup in six weeks time, when it read about it on CricInfo in the last fortnight, Mr. Amini added.

It was also through reading CricInfo, that the PMCA and LCA discovered PNGCB secretary, Wayne Satchell, was appointed as the PNGCB's full-time administrator.

Mr. Amini and Mr. Gamoga told 'Beyond The Test World' the PMCA and LCA would write to the International Cricket Council's East Asia-Pacific Develoopment Officer, Matthew Kennedy, expressing their respective Association's opposition to Mr. Satchell's appointment.

Lae, Port Moresby and Alotau Associations, all in the process of becoming incorporated bodies, are keen to ensure any future national administration is accountable, both financially and in its decision-making. They want any members of a future national administration to be incorporated bodies.

The other issues, mostly grass-roots, inspiring opposition to the PNGCB are:

• A perceived lack of communication between the National Board & its affiliates
• The perceived general lack of a proactive administration seeking to firstly administer the game on a national basis and secondly, promote its growth
• A contraction in the game's previous national presence towards its southern stronghold. Cricket is virtually dead in major centres such as Mt.Hagen, Goroka and Madang
• The state of grounds, equipment and facilities which are said to be in disrepair
• The decision of the PNGCB to abandon the National Championships concept in favour of a 'Champion of Champions' tournament this year.
• The Coca Cola sponsored 'Liklik Cricket' program, PNG's version of Kanga cricket is now defunct

If all of that is a bit too heavy, it's over to Port Moresby to find out what's been happening there so far this season.

The Port Moresby Cricket Association (PMCA) 2000/2001 season has just completed its first round of matches with last seasons premiers Hoods again leading the way from runners up Mobil Steamships. In what has been a tremendous start to the season, there is not much separating first from 7th as the competition heads into the second round. Already individual performances have surpassed last seasons efforts with 5 centuries compiled and some good bowling performances recorded.

In the batting stakes Coasters batsman Daniel Faunt leads both the aggregate and averages as he continues his run scoring blitz. Averaging almost 90 Faunt has notched up 4 50s and 1 century in his 6 knocks. He is trailed by fellow centurions John Ovia of Kempa and Arua Uda of Raukele. All three look certainties for batting spots in the PNG team for next years ICC trophy in Canada if they can continue their good form.

In the bowling department young Mobil Steamships' leg spinner Ross Vagi has continued his good start to the season as he continues to lead with 22 wickets at an average of 18.00. teammate and paceman Gimapau Keimelo (Mobil Steamships) is hot on his heels together with PNG opening bowler Toka Gaudi (Poreporena) who continues his resurgent form which augers well for PNGs ICC campaign next year.

On a positive note Port Moresby Cricket Association patron and PNG Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morouta hosted a Luncheon at the Park Royal Port Moresby recently attended by numerous business houses. There were more confirmations than capacity including last minute confirmations, the function room at the hotel was packed beyond normal capacity The luncheon raised a significant amount of money for the association which will be used to improve the standard of infrastructure in the game.

PMCA TEAM SNAPSHOTS

Spear Hoods
Last years premiers are captained by national representative Navu Maha and will again be a force to be reckoned with. Their batting is headlined by PNG Junior captain Wala Vala and PNG opener Leka Leka together with Maha whilst their bowling attack is led by arguably PNGs greatest bowler Tuku "Thunder" Raka.

Mobil Steamships
Steamies are always around at the business end of the season having played in 5 of the past 6 grand finals. They are a relatively young team that is led by former national all rounder Tao Ao together with current national captain Aukamu Noka and backed up by batsmen Peter Moide and Mahuta Kivung and young bowlers Gimapau Keimelo, Noel Kariko and spinner Ross Vagi.

United
United will again be a force to reckoned with this year under the captainship of Rarua Dikana. Dikana will lead the sides batting and is ably supported by the young Dai brothers Mahuru and Kohu and national wicketkeeper Ipi Morea. Mea Udu leads the United bowling attack.

Wari Vele Raukele
New skipper Chris Alu leads a young Raukele Team that has performed above expectations this year. Prolific run scorer Arua Uda has scored 2 centuries this year and is bidding for a return to the national side. He is backed by Jamie Iga, Reggie Ginate and Alu whilst former national paceman Fred Arua, Maru Hobart and Harry Gege shoulder the bowling responsibilities.

Poreporena
Poreporena have had a new lease on life this year having recruited well this season. PNG paceman Toka Gaudi leads the bowling together with rising Boe Gabe. Their batting has been bolstered by the inclusion of the in form Dago Morea, Rarua Ipi and Lawrence Vaburi from Mariners.

Kempa
PNGs best performing batsman at the last ICC John Ovia captains a young Kempa side and leads the batting. Already scoring one century this season Ovia is backed by Morie Morea and Numa Noka in the batting and Mari David in the bowling.

Coasters
The Coasters outfit is captained by veteran Koupa Kila. Their batting is led by Daniel Faunt who has recorded a tremendous start to the season averaging 90 in his first six innings this year. With a seasons best 118 this year Faunt is backed by young Joseph Moses whilst the bowling is led by veteran Raki Ila, Venu Gopal and Loa Ao.

Mariners
Competition wooden spoon contenders Mariners have been ravaged by player defections this year. They are led by former PNG openers Gavera Rarua and Lakani Oala with support from young paceman Peter Arua. Currently on the bottom rung of the ladder Mariners look set to continue their struggle for the remainder of the season.

National Cricket Update
Lae Cricket Association (LCA) has had a good start to the season with both A and B grades together with the newly introduced Under 15s and women's grades running smoothly. The Lae Association has also held its AGM for the season with all incumbents being returned to office. Karo Gamoga remains as President, former PNG great William Maha as Vice President and David Faunt as Treasurer.

The LCA also expressed their concerns about the lack of accountability of the PNG Cricket Board (PNGCB) noting that their has not been an Annual General Meeting since 1995 with no Financial reports during this period. In a commendable move that is supported by the other affiliated Associations in the country including PMCA. In the interest of the game in PNG the LCA has warned the PNGCB that if an AGM is not held the matter would be taken to court.

© CricInfo Ltd