The Hohola Ipi Park Oval has been overlooked as one-out-of-three venues to host the 2025 Governor’s Cup tournament, according to Governors Cup Director Billy Aki.

Mr. Aki stated this in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG today following a deserted oval on day-1 of the tournament, while the two venues at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and Kone Tigers remain functional.

He explained a disagreement between his management and the Hohola Ipi Park Caretakers under the management of Mr. Kambie Igimana who is also the Hohola off-season league President, has led to this.

He said the field-fee arrangement expected from the field-caretakers conflicted with the tournament budget and was considered to be unfair because the fee was reasonable in previous tournaments.

Mr. Aki highlighted Hohola Ipi Park’s nature as a Public Recreational park under the National Capital District (NCD) and acted fairly to arrange field-fees for each game day (6-days) to delegate the tournament equally due to the high number of participating teams.

According to Mr. Aki, the arrangement was set for K500 per day for Hohola Ipi Park; however, Hohola caretakers refused to accept the normal rate and expected an additional amount.

He expressed disappointment and pulled away while pointing out that other venues were compliant and accepted this field-fee in previous tournaments.

Meanwhile, Hohola Ipi Park Caretaker, Governor’s Cup (GC) Hohola Games Coordinator and Hohola Offseason League President Mr. Kambi Igiman, expressed his distress regarding financial delay from the GC Management, which left the field unprepared.

Mr. Igiman stated that the delay in funding left the Hohola team unprepared to prepare the field to allow smooth coordination with games at Hohola. He pointed out the usual transaction after full match competition which implies preparation on credit which seem unethical.

He said the additional fee is important because without enough funding, the maintenance of the field and the facilities like the public announcement system, the stands along with payment of field officials and security won’t be facilitated.

In addition, Mr. Igiman pointed out the tournament’s K500, 000 budget for this year and suggested an improved salary can be arranged and should not be seen as unfair or wrong.

He underlined a strong budget and reasoned that such a budget must be fairly allocated to allow smooth match operations.

Nevertheless, Mr. Igiman remains willing to find common grounds for smooth tournament coordination.