Bad start for U23 soccer
THE Under 23 soccer squad had a poor start when six of Morobe Kumuls players could not make the plane for the first trial match against the Port Moresby-based NSL combined team yesterday Telikom Park. Coach George Cowie said he was handicapped as he got only 12 players to work on during the trials. Despite the 1-1 draw, Cowie said there is a lot of improvement to be made, considering playing only half of the team which many players played out of their positions. “We will be working on the areas following the assessment and will be ready for the next trial match on tomorrow against the Port Moresby team,” he said.

Collecting more data
PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football Union is updating its database on representative players here and abroad. The acting chief executive officer of PNGRFU Cybele Druma said the national rugby union body is calling on all PNG schools (U15-18) and PNG tertiary students (U17 and above) who are playing overseas to register with PNGRFU. She said it is an opportunity for players schooling or residing in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji who aspire to play for PNG Pukpuks to register as soon as possible. Those wishing to find more information can contact Cybele Druma on 3234212 or email:wardrumpng@daltron.com.pg.

Positions up for grabs
THE PNGRFU will be advertising the coaching positions and the team management positions for both the PNG Pukpuks and the PNG Sevens team for future tournament. PNGRFU president Graeme Osborne said all position will by up for grabs and interested people need to submit their resume to PNGRFU for whatever position they want to fill. It is hinted that there will be no job for the boys and candidates will be appointed on merits.

Paddle Day this Saturday
THE Port Moresby Canoe Club will hold a Corporate Paddle Day this Saturday morning at Ela Beach. Port Moresby has two clubs who paddle out of the Royal Papua Yacht Club and Lancron Naval Base respectively. Highlights for the outrigger paddling season are the annual inter-club challenge off Ela Beach and the notorious Hisiu Beach Cup. The purpose of the corporate paddle day is to raise funds to help send junior paddlers – from 12 to 18 years of age ñ to represent PNG at the Wai Tui Cup in Fiji in April. The event will see the canoe teams race a series of 300 mere sprints over the course of the morning consisting of heats, semi-finals and culminating in the finals. A K500 registration fee is required for a five man team while the POMOCC are providing the canoes, equipment and the steerers.

Changes in Mioks hierarchy
TOYOTA Enga Mioks will have majour overhaul change on its board and management as it prepares for 2008 SP Cup competition. Mioks executive officer Eddie Muller said that a new full board was already put in place headed by businessman Yasowa Kome who was elevated to chairman position following the resignation of Robert Ganim. Ganim has stepped down on the position due to the work commitments but he was retained as an ordinary board member. Other Board members are Jacob Yakali as deputy chairman, John Saret (team manger) Connie Kepakan, John Tungi, Peter Puki and the Enga police chief Michael Chare. Governor Ipatas has retained his p position as the patron. Muller said the reshuffle were in-line with Patron and Governor Ipatas’ direction to restore some lost pride to Enga Mioks. He said former coach Toksy Nema was recalled to replace Chris Itam who was relegated to trainer while team doctor will be appointed soon.