Buka comp heads into semifinals

The National Sports

By MELTON PAIS
THE Bougainville Rugby League heads into its major semifinals this weekend at Hutjena sports ground in Buka town.
The Ieta Babarians and Malasang Warriors, who drew 18-18 last weekend, will have their re-match today and the winner will take on New Town Knights, who booked the first the grand final spot two weeks ago.
League chairman Avis Vanua said the grand final would be on Saturday, Oct 27 and would be on same day the PNG LNG Kumuls took on the England Knights in Lae, Morobe.
In the Under-20 division, Babarians take on the Knights while in the women’s division, Hama Tigers clash with the Kubu Roosters.
Vanua, who is in Port Moresby will travel to Buka and take PNGNRL referees Paul Wani and Hanua Rupa to take change of the semifinals and the grand final for all the divisions.
Vanua said the Autonomous Regional of Bougainville’s sports minister Josephine Getsi, who is also the patron for the Bougainville rugby league, will officially kick off the grand final.
“The men’s A grade champions grade will collect K3000 with the cup while the runners-up will walk away with half that amount,” Vanua said.
“In the U20s, the winner will be rewarded with K1200 and the cup and runners-up with K800 while in the women’s division, the winner will get K1500 with cup and the runners-up with K800.
Vanua said all their programmes in rugby league and rugby union that involve youth fell under Rehabilitation Programme which had the underlying goal of bringing peace and unity in the community as well as with the disposal of weapons in preparation for AROB’s autonomy day on June 15, 2019.
Vanua said rugby league and union in Bougainville had collaborated to execute the Rehabilitation programme.
“We are doing all these to bring normalcy back to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and I’m sure both codes are thankful to our AROB government officials who have stood with us to support the programme.
“I’d also like to thank Maria Vanua for securing a three-year sponsorship for Buka Rugby League and we’re also appreciative to all the businesses and individuals who have helped us in one way or another throughout the 2018 season.”