Dib was an influential figure in rugby league during his eight-year reign as chairman of Canterbury before being deposed in a club election in 2018.
He also served on the board of the NSWRL.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG counterpart James Marape announce the Pacific nation’s new NRL team in December 2024.Credit: Kate Geraghty
“I sincerely appreciate the support from [PNG] Prime Minister James Marape, the Australian DFAT team, the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby, especially [High Commissioner] Ewen McDonald, the PNG community, and the business sector,” he said.
“My gratitude also goes to the PNG Chiefs board members who supported me, the PNGRFL, the NRL staff, and to [Sydney Roosters chairman] Nick Politis for recommending me for this opportunity and for his support.
“I genuinely wish the best for everyone involved with the PNG Chiefs. The country truly deserves success.”
The NRL said in a statement on Wednesday that “we take the opportunity to thank Ray for his efforts in the establishment and early development of the PNG Chiefs”.
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The latest personnel change in Port Moresby was made as the incoming team and the NRL finalised an agreement on accommodation for players and prepared to begin work on a centre of excellence training facility near the country’s national stadium.
The venture is the Australian government’s signature sports diplomacy project, with $290 million of taxpayer money set aside for the franchise alone over 10 years.
A further $250 million is being directed towards rugby league pathways and development programs in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa as well as PNG, while $60 million of the government package was paid directly to existing NRL clubs as a licence fee.
The Chiefs board includes former PNG international and Melbourne Storm grand final winner Marcus Bai as well as business figures such as Ian Tarutia, the former CEO of PNG’s largest superannuation fund, Richard Pegum, the executive chairman of ASX-listed Pacific Lime and Cement, and Stan Joyce, a leader in the food and beverage industry.