| Sports |
Sepik Ironman titlemay lure 100 teams
By HENRY MORABANG
WITH three months away from Sepik Ironman Challenge, two Port
Moresby companies were the first to make their pledges to support the
contest in Wewak, East Sepik province.
Sepik Ironman Challenge chairman Steven Damien and patron Sana Somare
were in Port Moresby last week busy collecting pledges and commitment
from Travel Service Limited at Anderson Foodland, Koki, and Spic-n-Span
at Badili.
Damien said both companies have committed to sponsor two teams who will
bear their company’s name during the race. The players will be selected
from participants in Wewak during the challenge.
He said many companies in Port Moresby and other centres do sponsor the
teams with the organisers.
The chairman said 2007 will be an even playing field for local swimmers
as there will be no invited athletes from Port Moresby taking part.
The invited swimmers such as Ryan Pini and other PNG athletic union
runners would be committed to the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia,
and the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa preparation.
Damien also anticipated an increase of number of teams to 100 compared
with last year’s 84. When the competition started in 2004 there were
only 20 teams.
Those interested should express their interest in writing and send in
their nomination fees to Sepik Ironman Contest.
The competition would be run as a team event carrying a prizemoney of
K12,000 while the individual event (triathlon) winner will collect
K6,000.
It will also be a big event for the Sepik Ironman Challenge organisers
who will stage the canoe race from Mobil Beach to Wewak Yacht Club and
to the finishing line at Winjamer Hotel.
Apart from the canoe race, youngsters will have the opportunity to try
out their skills in the gumi race. The winner will walk away with K200.
This competition is strictly for children and youth.
Damien said Brandi High School has already started as favourite to win
the title. Ryan Pini teamed up with Brandi to win in 2005, and last year
he teamed up Ela Motors to win the tournament.
 
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