Butibam tops Ahi Festival

By MALUM NALU
BUTIBAM has taken out the ultimate accolade in the Ahi Festival by winning most medals in the week-long event in Lae.
Butibam and archrival Yanga were tied on four gold medals apiece after the grand finals last week, but when it came to a count back, Butibam won the most medals overall.
Yanga, with a wealth of talent from champion Lae team NS Busu, beat a young Hengali side 40-35 in the men’s basketball grand final at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium last Friday.
In the bronze play-off, Butibam edged out Wagang 38-32.
In the volleyball grand finals, Butibam beat Hengali 3-1 in a thrilling encounter while Yalu ended up third.
Butibam also took out the women’s volleyball gold medal with a 3-0  pounding of Hengali.
In touch football last Thursday evening, Butibam took out the men’s final with a 3-1 win over Kamkumung, while Hengali edged Yanga for bronze 4-3.
In the women’s touch football grand final, Yanga beat Butibam 4-3 in extra time, while in the play-off for bronze, Wagang beat Yalu 4-3 in extra time.
The soccer finals were not played because of a dispute involving players and supporters from Yalu.
This marred what was otherwise a very enjoyable week of sports.
In netball, Butibam, with giant Pepe international Nettie Sao at the helm, rode roughshod over all and sundry.
The Ahi Festival involved teams from the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang.