Bladez get backing after two years in city hockey

By MELTON PAIS
THE Bladez Hockey Club of the Port Moresby Hockey Association recently secured a five-year sponsorship commitment from Mastrados Limited, JDK Security Solutions and Tau Sports PNG.
As part of that sponsorship club also received funding for uniforms for all its four divisions (A grade men/women, B grade emn/women) at the cost of K21,000.
The presentations were made last week at Sir John Guise Stadium Hockey Pavilion which is home of the country’s only astro turf hockey facility.
Club president Selwyn Tamur, pictured, thanked the three companies for their support saying his club was grateful for the assistance, particularly as they had started through their own means two years ago.
He said a group of young people who had passion for hockey founded the club in 2016 but had not received any financial help.
Tamur said the Bladez club was one of the 10 clubs in the Port Moresby Hockey Association and was doing all it could to maintain and develop.
“It’s the first time for us to receive sponsorship from more than one sponsor,” he said.
“Tamur said the club led by a few former and current national representatives had one goal and that was to promote and develop new hockey talents.
“We’ve had a few achievements over the last three years including our men’s team won the minor premiership and were the runners-up in the grand final and women’s team finished fifth in 2016,” he said.
“Last year, our men’s team came second and the women’s team finished fourth.
“For the last two seasons, the club was self sponsored by the players and executives themselves especially through fundraising efforts.
“However, this year we have good sponsors backing us up,” he added.
“Unlike 2016 and last year where we had only men and women’s team, this year our focus is on development, we have added a men’s and women’s B grade side in the competition.
“Most of the players in our B grade teams are students,” Tamur said.