Team see door open for talents

NEWCOMERS to the Southern region 9s tournament underway at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, Gulf Iferea, are in it for the exposure and experience it will give them.
They are hoping that some of their more promising youngsters would attract selectors established league clubs or even Digicel Cup franchises.
Team manager Tapua Ekari said the team, made up of players from Lese Kavora and Lese Oalai villages in Gulf, were taking part in the annual tournament for the first time.
“A lot of our boys have an interest and passion for playing rugby 9s, so when we heard that a team was established to take part in the tournament, the boys were really excited,” Ekari said.
“We don’t really care about winning in this tournament because it is our first time. All we care about is to make sure our boys get to showcase their raw talent to clubs in the Port Moresby Rugby League or even better, the Digicel Cup.
“Our boys were training for the Christmas tournament back in Lese and when they found out that senior Port Moresby-based Gulf citizens like Chris Haro and Eugene Raka had formed this team along with coach Bosco Kose, they flocked in numbers to train and be part of the team.
“We understand that PNG Kumuls Kato Ottio and PNG Hunters Silas Gahuna are products of the Southern 9s and we want our boys to follow the same pathway.”
Gulf Iferea which means mosquito in the Toarapi language in Gulf, lost to Baukana of Aroma 12-4 in their first match in the tournament.
They then went down to former Southern 9s champions Rovanama 34-8 and their last round robin match will be against Porebada Bulldogs today.