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Sports |
A rising star
By WALLY HIAMBOHN
PROMISING young
talent Swokim Magini is the deserved inaugural winner of the
Brad Fittler Award as the best and fairest schoolboy’s rugby
league player in the country.
The 18-year-old who plays for Kilakila Secondary School in the
Port Moresby competition was named winner of the award in
recognition of his overall performance in the competition this
year and for being one of two Papua New Guineans who made the
World 17 squad after the World Youth Rugby League Championships
in Moscow in 2005 where PNG came third. The other PNG player
Dickson Wallen won a scholarship to Japan last year.
The rising star is a utility player and was in scintillating
form on the wings, centre and fullback during the Moscow
championships. He has gotten better in the local competition
since then.
For his talents Magini will gain valuable football experience by
joining the Sydney City Roosters at their pre-season training
camp early next year, an occasion the young star is looking
forward to.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me as a young footballer
who wants to make the PNG Kumuls in future and even become an
export to overseas leagues,” Magini said in an interview
yesterday.
“I am glad the schoolboy’s competition was initiated because it
has created a golden opportunity and a pathway for young talents
like me to break it into the big time.
“I have been privileged to have been selected to compete for PNG
at the World Championships in Moscow and now this coming on top
of that experience takes me over the moon.
“I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and I
express my heartfelt gratitude to the schoolboys’ competition,
the initiator Iffysoe Segeyaro, PNG Rugby Football League and
Sydney City Roosters for making it possible for this to happen.”
Magini father, Magini Ou, is from Central province while his
mother, Mary, is part Western province and Southern Highlands.
Schoolboys league chairman Iffysoe Segeyaro congratulated Magini
on his achievement and commended his parents for raising a
talents and disciplined young footballer.
“Parental support of our young players is an integral part of
our competition and talent identification so I am gratified by
every parent who has given us their support and allowed their
boys to participate in our competition,” Segeyaro said.
 
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