‘Hela, SHP are winners’

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Friday 19th April 2013

 BRINGING the game back to the people of Southern Highlands is now a reality.

Hela Wigmen franchise owner and Kemele Construction Limited principal Firman Joseph said he had achieved what he set out to do.

This Sunday, inter-city rivalry re­turns after 15 years when the Wigmen play host to the Bintangor Lahanis of Goroka at the Late Joe Keviame Oval in Mendi.

Joseph said when he found out the Mendi Muruks may not have a team this season, he took on the Wigmen who faced a similar predicament.

“It’s win-win for the people with both franchises in and the Southern Highlands capital gets a double bonus with at least a Digicel Cup match every weekend,” Joseph said.

“Whether it is the Wigmen or the Muruks the people of Hela and Southern Highlands are winners in the game they love the most.”

Wigmen chairman Andy Hetra said for too long the people of Hela and SHP had been refugees, wanderers, strangers and visitors following rugby league to other towns and cities. 

“This is despite Hela and SHP contributing to the core of past national teams ever since. It will be a big day and I appeal to all followers to support both teams in the true spirit of sportsmanship,” he said.

He said the Wigmen franchise thanked the PNGNRL board for believing in the Wigmen entity to host games in Mendi.