By HENRY MORABANG
VISITING village teams taking part in 2007 Eastern Papuan Carnival (EPC) are taking the competition by storm.
Four teams from Trobriand Islands and one from Rossel Island who is making a comeback after 10 years in the wilderness have made an impact so far.
The Trobriand Islands teams are Kaikuyawa, Gumilabawa, Oiyaba and Gigilawokuwa while POM Yelle United is from Rossel Island
Tournament director Edwin Soapa said the teams played exceptionally well compare with better trained players in Port Moresby.
“We even have players from Milne Bay coming up for the EPC tournament but had to join their village teams in Port Moresby,” he said.
Soapa also confirmed that reigning champions Yabwau will not be defending the Cup this year for some unknown reasons.
It is understood that EPC Cup is now resting in Kaparoko village.
Soapa said he was disappointed that Yabwau pulled out, a move which had also upset many teams who were looking forward to play against them.
Meanwhile, EPC president Aggrey Watson has given the thumps-up to his tournament director for putting everything in place.
He said he was happy with the turnout by teams in Port Moresby and also from Milne Bay province.
However, Watson would like to apologise to all clubs that there would be a NSL double header in Port Moresby this weekend which will disrupt the draws. But he said he was confident everything would go smoothly.
He said EPC management expects all the games would be finished by Dec 9 before the players join their families at home.
Watson said all the games on Telikom Park One and Telikom Park Two will start at 7.30am and finish at 12noon on Saturday to allow NSL to take over the field for their double header match.
He said the double header was to cater for Morobe Kumuls who will transfer to Port Moresby following the PNG Games in Lae.
“I urge all the clubs and supporters to co-operate with the official to move out of the oval to allow NSL to take charge of their own tournament. We want them to show the same corporation as they did last week,” he said.