Blue Heelers clinch Loa Noi Besena dart title

By PATRICIA KEAMO
BLUE Heelers edged All Blacks 6-5 to claim back-to-back Loa Noi Besena Dart Association titles at Hanuabada village in the National Capital District on Saturday.
The quarterly competition had seen four teams — Heelers, Blacks, Purple Pride and Red Lalokaus —battling across six rounds before the knockouts and grand final.
Association president Bernard Lohia told The National they had seen a lot of changes among youths, many of whom had stopped drinking alcohol to focus on the competition.
“We formed the association to bring youths together and convince them to refrain from bad activities,” he said.
“There are major challenges concerning youths in our community, so we decided to bring them together through dart games.
“This is our second season now. We’re running short seasons just to make the game more exciting.
“If we have a longer season, people might lose interest and give up.
“Heelers were champions in the first season after they beat Red Lalokaus.
“This is a family game and most of us are rookies but we are participating through unity.”
Lohia thanked the member for Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel who supported them with K1,000 to host the grand final.
He also acknowledged Willie and Alice Vagi for providing trophies, and Motu Koita Assembly chairman Dadi Toka Jr for donating soft drinks.