16 in race for Governor’s Cup

THE final 16 teams of the Manus Governor’s Cup soccer tournament progressed into knock-out stage at the Prince William Oval, Lorengau, Manus, yesterday.
The teams will be vying for the K30,000 prize money sponsored by Manus Provincial Government.
Balopa, on the south coast of Manus, has three men’s teams  —Rei, Lako and Balopa-select side — in the final.
Team manager Ngenge Sasa was happy with his teams making the playoffs.
Team Lorengau has three teams in the finals and were backed by town mayor Ruth Mandrakamu.
Outer island teams like Rapatona, Pak, Mbuke, Andra Island and Bisakani were backed by their local level governments and communities.
Newcomers Nigoherm, from the atolls off Western Island have qualified for the knockouts.
Manus Soccer Association president Jack Nawi Changau was happy with how the tournament progressed and thanked the players, officials and supporters during the pool matches and asked for the same during finals series.
Changau, a long-time sports administrator in the province, thanked the official sponsor, Manus Govenor Charlie Benjamin, for his continuous support of sports in the province.
Teams: Lako, Lombrum, Pak Island, Bisakani Soparibeu, Rapatona, Andra, Lorengau Urban, Rei, Nigoherm, Lorengau Ward 3, Mbuke, Pitylu, Ndilou, Westwind, Balopa and Lorengau ward 3.