Kumuls star in assault incident

FORMER Kumul star Richard Wagambie was allegedly assaulted by a current Kumul player during a function hosted by their sponsor, Telikom, on Sunday.
The Kumuls team management is desperately trying to keep the incident under wraps, fearing the fallout would jeopardise their preparations for the Pacific Cup tournament which starts this weekend. They even had the player concerned shake hands with and apologise to Wagambie yesterday.
The alleged assault flies in the face of a strong campaign by the National Rugby League (NRL) and the international rugby league governing body to rid the game of violence, both on and off the field.
The recent one-off game between the Australian Prime Ministers XIII and the PNG PMs XIII was held under the stop violence against referees banner.
Wagambie is a former Kumul star and a respected coach. He was allegedly assaulted at Lancron Naval Base during a function on Sunday night.
Wagambie confirmed the incident, saying he had just finished delivering a motivational speech to members of the PNG Kumuls and supporters when the player came up and assaulted him.The player had apparently attended the function already intoxicated.
Wagambie said he initially considered laying a complaint with police, but decided against it.
As a former player, I withdrew the charges against the player, to let him concentrate on the SP Pacific Cup with his Kumuls teammates, he said.
Kumul coach Adrian Lam deflected questions about this when asked on Monday, during a conference to announce John Wilshere as PNG Kumul captain. Lam said he would rather comment on the preparation of the team.
Chairman of the selectors Krewanty asked a reporter from The National not to report the incident, describing it as just a minor issue which was solved internally by the board and management of the team.
He said Wagambie was called in yesterday and the player concerned apologised to Wagambie.
Attempts to contact Coach Lam yesterday were unsuccessful, but team physio Mathew Natusch said it was a controversial issue, and publishing a negative story would adversely affect the teams preparations for the SP Pacific Cup challenge.

Arnold Krewanty, How dare you say this is a minor issue, yu hulpipe!

The code has suffered long enough with dicsipline and you are part of the problem coz you can not take a tough stand against idiots who fail to uphold the code of conduct of the code.

Who do you think Richard is? Don't you think Richard has contributed much to the code?

I do not follow league but as an outsider i think the for you to brand the incident minor is totally, totally wrong and it is a shame to the whole code.

Sack Arnold or Arnold should resign.

Sack Arnold, and the PNGRFL Board, including that Veratau fellow...who seems to be jumping to the beat of the kundu drums of the highlanders...

sack the guy who assaulted Wagambi...and arnold if he does not do anything!

Who da heck is that kumul who assaulted Wagambie, is he the only one who can make a difference for the kumuls? Sack him from the current Kumul and ban him for life.