9s comp targets city talent

By MELTON PAIS
A NINES rugby league competition involving the best teams from the National Capital District and Central kicks off in Port Moresby on Thursday.
The Lae Biscuit-sponsored Snax 9s tournament will for the first time be hosted in Port Moresby to give an opportunity to players from the city’s league’s (PRL, Moresby South and Suburban) as well as Motu Koita, Koiari, Hiri and Central leagues.
The tournament will be at the PNG Football Stadium (Sir John Guise complex) and ends on Saturday.
“We had a lot more teams showing interests but we have only decided to lock on 20 teams,” tournament director Ronnie Titie said.
“The pool games will start on Thursday and continue to Friday with the finals to be on Saturday.
“This tournament is not only to scout players for next year’s Digicel Cup franchises but also to promote Lae Biscuits products here in the nation’s capital.
“It will also give an opportunity for other Port Moresby-based Digicel Cup clubs to scout players who stand out during the course of the tournament,” Titie added.
Titie, who is on the Port Moresby Vipers staff as well as holding the role of PNG Resident Under-23s manager, said the tournament organisers and sponsor decided to bring the Snax 9s to Port Moresby because of the large player base and because nines is one of popularity of the format in NCD and Central.
The Central and Southern 9s and just two major tournaments that take place at the end of the regular seasons while the ongoing Port Moresby Corporate 9s sees many players from the Digicel Cup and local leagues take part.
“We have also opened invitations to teams in Central especially Motu-Koitabu, Sogeri, and Aroma coastline teams to give them the opportunity to play in the tournament,” Titie said.
Titie said team registration was K1000 for the 20-team competition.
The first teams to register would be given slots.