bemobile Cup time!

Main Stories, Sports

THE country’s first mobile telephone company, bemobile, has committed K800,000 to the bemobile Cup tournament this season.
This is the second year bemobile has secured the naming rights sponsor to back the high profile rugby league competition.
This year’s contest promises to be one of the most exciting and competitive seasons with the slogan “bemobile Cup 2010 best yet,” which is a recognition that bemobile Cup is an exhilarating competition in its own right.
bemobile marketing officer George Trad said this year would feature an array of the top local rugby league talents.
With the inclusion of Simbu Warriors headed by former Bintangor Eagles player Tiger Emere, they are sure to inject a fresh style into the competition.
The semi-professional competition has retained eight franchises from last season except for Warriors who were re-admitted this year.
The bemobile Cup is set to kick off on April 25, with the official launching on next Thursday in Port Moresby.
Despite an ongoing legal battle for PNG rugby league’s mother body, the PNGRFL, the competition will start as scheduled.
The 2010 will see 18 rounds of matches with one team having a bye every weekend.
The opening clashes will kick off  in Port Moresby, sister franchise teams Vipers play Rangers, Hagen Eagles will host Toyota Mioks, reigning champions Gurias will tackle Lahanis at Kalabond while ATCL Bombers meet SBS Muruks in Lae.
Simbu Warriors will have a first round bye but will have the luxury of hosting their first bemobile Cup match in round two when they host seasoned campaigners Bintangor Goroka Lahanis at the newly upgraded Dickson Oval
Trad said this was the company’s second year as the official naming rights sponsor, stamping it’s strong commitment and support for rugby league in the country.
“Our financial commitment for this year is K800,000 as well as promoting the game in all media and the community whenever and wherever we have an opportunity, with roadshows, store visits and events throughout the season,” he added.
He also acknowledged key partners in the media as crucial in achieving goals through effective dialogue to promote the game to the community as the bemobile Cup season unfolds.
“We will be looking to utilise players in the community as never before and hope to take great strides in making the game attractive to family groups by providing more entertainment during pre-match and half-time periods,” Trad said.
The bemobile Cup is a tough competition, but it also provides a platform for bringing people together as promotional poster shot for this year.
Even though the players go head to head on the field, there is a friendship and camaraderie off the field which makes them ideal ambassadors and role models in the community.
This year’s bemobile Cup promises to be more intense and exciting as players look to impress selectors ahead of the Four Nations in October.
The Kumuls play Australia on Oct 23 at Parramatta Stadium and then follow up with matches against Great Britain and New Zealand.