Chimbu comp kicks off 9s tourney with 44 teams

KEROWAGI Coffee Cup organisers kicked off the nines rugby league tournament last Wednesday with 44 teams across two divisions playing at the Kerowagi Oval in Chimbu.
Cup chairman Anton Walai told The National that the tournament would run for a week with the men’s and women’s finals to be played at the end of this week.
“We have up to 22 teams each in the men’s and women’s divisions that have been put into five pools,” he said.
“We are running the pool games for both divisions.
“After that is completed, we will advance into our finals which will likely see the top-two teams from each pool into the playoffs.
“We hope to finish the pool games early this week and have our finals by Wednesday.”
Walai acknowledged the PNG Rugby Football League and Kerowagi Development Holdings for their support in running the tournament during the festive season.
He said it was a bonus to have games for youths in the district following a tough year amid the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
“The Covid-19 disrupted most of our competitions and activities in the district, and it’s a relief to have something for our youths at this time of the year,” Walai said.
“We were worried that most of the young people would sit idle and get into unnecessary activities like drugs and alcohol which are the root of all our social problems.
“But the tournament has changed that perception.
“The youths are taking more responsibility, thanks to the tournament.
“We hope to start the New Year on a good note.”