Biscuit firm ensures refs are attired for Ipatas Cup

By LARRY ANDREW
LAE Biscuit Company is providing K20,000 to ensure referees are in uniforms to control matches during the Ipatas Cup challenge.
Promoted by the company under the slogan “no referee, no game” it will be a permanent feature during the competition.
The competition has reached out to all the regions in PNG, exposing some raw talents at the grassroots level.
Lae Biscuit sales and marketing manager Larry Ori presented the K20,000 cheque to Ipatas Cup chief executive officer Timothy Lepa yesterday at the company’s new factory along the Independence Drive in Lae.
Two senior referees from Lae rugby league Luxie Metta and Eka Paikari witnessed the presentation.
Ori said it was a privilege for the company to put back to the game what it deserved and the K20,000 sponsorship to support the referees was a reflection of the company’s recognition to the league.
“The company is home grown and is proud to identify what we are best known for,” he said.
He said company’s association with the game was an ongoing one.
Lepa said Lae Biscuit Company had been there since day one to support the four Morobe Tumuaks teams.
He said referees were the highest paid and without them there was no game.
He said had branched out to the Southern and New Guinea Islands this year, bringing ‘the greatest game of all’ to the districts.
“With Lae Biscuit we are moving the game to the next level. We are looking forward to working together to promote the sport of rugby league,” he said.
The competition will start in three weeks and the winners will walk away with K100,000.