Yere still in PNG

 Kumul Menzie Yere in action during the PNG Residents vs PNG Internationals match held at Kagamuga  Oval in Mt Hagen last Oct. Yere is yet to join his English club. File picture by JOE IVAHARIA

Move creates dent on future of PNG players on contract

KUMUL Menzie Yere is yet to join his English club Sheffield Eagles Rugby Football Club, a move that has fueled questions over his unavailability.

This has also created a dent on the future of Papua New Guinea players on contract to English clubs.
Yere, who was supposed to fly to England late last year for his second year stint with the English club, is understood to be in Port Moresby.

Attempts by The Sunday Chronicle to get comments from Yere were unsuccessful. According to a reliable source, Yere had not board the plane to England and his English club officials are in limbo over when he turns up for training as the club has began preparations for the coming season.

His former Agmark Guria coach Michael Marum when contacted yesterday said he had not heard from Yere after he left over the Christmas eve.

"Yere left us and went to Port Moresby but I have lost contact with him as I did try calling his (Yere) phone but is switched off," the former Gurias coach Michael Marum said

Everyone involved in Yere's move to England are confused what had made him (Yere) to stay back in the country when he supposed to have gone back to England. Questions remain unsolved and it's tragic that Menzie has done that.

An email sent to this paper by Sheffield Club executive officer, Mark Aston, said: "It's tragic that Menzie is messing me and the club around as I thought we were indeed good friends. He had a massive impact on our club last year becoming one of the fans favorites and also a big hit with the sponsors."

The Simbu man was caught launching the Kumul Access International card at the Jackson's International terminal with other two Kumul players, Michael Mark and Charlie Wabo early this month but to date, he has been out of reach also by this paper.

Mark and Wabo left the next morning while Yere did not board the plane.
Menzie was also nominated for the players' player of the year (nominated by his peer) in the competition and his silence will now tarnish the good relationship with those who had made ways for PNG to move over to have a go in their rugby league career.

"Honest, I can't believe this. How na Menzie wokim olsem ya. Kain olsem em bai bagarapim olgeta wei blong ol mangi bai go na pilai long hap. (Honest, I cannot believe this. How did Menzie do this as it will now spoil the chances of other our local rugby league players to go and play there)," a diehard rugby league fan who did not want to be named said.

Sheffield Eagles RLFC chief executive Mark Aston said the move could tarnish the reputation of the PNG players that are playing in England now.

"I hope we can resolve the Menzie issue as soon as possible as we will be starting to play next week in our pre-season cup competition," the concerned club chief executive in his email.

"I also do not want Menzie to tarnish the reputation that the PNG players have in this country as I personally gave recommendation to a close friend of mine Daryl Powell at Featherstone that the players from PNG are not only great players and they are also fantastic to have around the club.

"I personally think that he (Menzie) might be a bit embarrassed and won't want to talk to me and if that is the case he can contact Chris Noble who is one of our directors at the club.

Menzie is so close to him and if it's about not having enough money to get some more flights it can be sorted."
Other players currently in England are Jessie Joe Parker, Larsen Marabe, Michael Mark, Charlie Wabo and Trevor Exton.

Menzie has not contacted his managers back in England and has to do so before next week.