Cricket PNG staff wants removal of CEO
Cricket PNG staff including players from the senior national men's and women's team have petitioned the board to immediately terminate its chief executive officer Richard Done over allegation of mismanagement.
The staff submitted a petition last month [November 12] to Cricket PNG Board requesting the immediate termination of Done's employment due to allegations of malpractice and financial mismanagement.
However, CPNG Board has not responded, prompting the staff to write to Sports Minister Kinoka Feo for intervention to resolve this matter.
The staff also hosted a peaceful protest today at Amini Park in Port Moresby to air their concerns to the media over the conduct of its CEO.
PNG men's national team skipper Assad Vala speaking on behalf of players and representatives of the PNG Barramundis, alongside members of the women's national team, coaching staff, and other cricket stakeholders, expressed deep concern and frustration over ongoing mismanagement by CEO Done, citing it has impacted the well-being and livelihoods of those who proudly represent Cricket PNG.
Vala said the following issues have prompted the petition, signed by the majority of players and staff across various departments: delayed and missed allowances and match fees, unpaid salaries, unpaid T20 World Cup prize money and misrepresentation of prize money distribution.
"As representatives of our nation, we dedicate ourselves to playing and promoting cricket at the highest level," Vala said
"We do so with pride, often under challenging circumstances, however, these ongoing financial issues undermine our morale and ability to perform at our best."
The veteran cricketer has called on CPNG's leadership to address their grievances with immediate action to settle all outstanding allowances, match fees, and salaries without further delay, pay out the full T20 World Cup prize money to the 15 players as promised, provide a transparent and accountable plan for future financial commitments, ensuring that players and staff are paid on time and in full.
Meanwhile, the letter written to the Sports Minister is accompanied with the eight-page petition, along with seven pages of bank statements from BSP Online Banking covering the period of January 3, 2024, to July 2, 2024.
"These documents raise serious questions about Mr. Done's financial conduct, including significant expenses incurred without proper documentation, verification, or the knowledge or consent of Cricket PNG's accounting staff," CPNG Physical Performance Manager and spokesperson Siyih Johang said in the letter.
"Given the seriousness of these allegations and the lack of response from the PNG Cricket Board, we implore you to intervene in this matter.
"We are confident that your understanding of the situation and commitment to good governance in PNG sports will lead to a swift and just resolution.
"We believe this to be a pattern of behavior, not an isolated incident."
Done is currently under a three-year contract with the PNGCB, which commenced on March last year and would expire in March 2026.
Done, in response to the current matter brought forward by the staff said the board will make comments at an appropriate time.
"I have no comment at this point. The board is dealing with this issue and will make their comment at the right time.
"As they [staff] have not provided me with the specific document they have shared with media, I'm not in a position to comment further."