All set for Buka 7s tourney

THE two-day Buka Black Orchid 7s kicks off tomorrow at Hutjena High School grounds with 20 teams from around the country participating.
Tournament organiser Peter Tsiamalili Jr said from Buka yesterday the event was expected to draw a large crowd from the Buka town and would also feature several notable international 7s representatives from Fiji.
World 7s series circuit regulars Marika Vunimbaka, Seremaiah Burotu and Nasoni Roko are scheduled to play in the tournament.
“The growth of the Black Orchid 7s tournament and rugby in Buka has been amazing from where we were several years ago to where it is now,” Tsiamalili said.
The tournament has earned the accolade of being the country’s richest 7s event with K50,000 in prize money alone for the winners and runners-up of the cup, plate and bowl.
“Cup winners get K18,000 while the runners-up will receive K15,000 and, for the plate, the split is K8,000 and K4,000 and, the bowl it is K3,000 and K1,500,” he said.
Tsiamalili thanked major sponors Coca-Cola Amatil, National Gaming Control Board, Pacific MMI Insurance and Air Niugini for the invaluable assistance.
He also acknowledged and thanked Bougainville Rugby Football Union  patron and major sponsor regional MP Fidelis Semoso as well as the Autonomous Region of Bougainville President   John Momis and the AORB Minister for Sports, Youth and Community Affairs Roselyn Pihei.
The province’s dignataries will be in attandance at the two-day tournament with Pihei given the honour of officially kicking off the games.
The teams taking part are Hago Barbarians, Sohano Crusaders, Halia, Hangan Pirates (1 & 2), Malasang Traders, Hilasan Petats, Haku Hawks, O-Town, NC Civil Works Black Orchids, (Bougainville), University Piggies (NCD), Aroma Coast (Central), ToMaringa Royals, Rabaul Redskins, Cardinals, PNG Water Kaias (ENB), New Ireland Drongos (NIP), Sigma Construction Madgauns (Madang), Patuki Warriors, PMMI Kimbe Rebels and Kalu Marlins (WNB).
An NCD schoolboys side will also play a local junior side as the curtainraiser to the cup final.