CPNG set to kick off major comp

By PATRICIA KEAMO
CRICKET Papua New Guinea (CPNG) will kick off the country’s premier 50-over competition at Port Moresby’s Amini Park tomorrow. The Isuzu National Cup has been an integral part of the selection of players for the PNG Barramundis and with the T20 World Cup later this year, it will be a great boost for the national team, given the lack of competition due to Covid-19. With 2021 being the second year of Boroko Motors’ three-year sponsorship for the Cup, group sales and marketing general manager Michael Townsley told The National yesterday that they were proud to support CPNG and were looking forward to the competition. “This is the second year that Isuzu and Boroko Motors have been involved in the sponsorship of the 50-over competition, we’re a three-year sponsorship (partner), last year being the first year,” he said. “We’re looking forward to continuing our association with CPNG and all the players who will take part in the tournament. (We’re) hoping that with the work CPNG has been doing with PNG Sports Foundation officials, we’ll have some crowds see some great cricket.” The Isuzu Cup will bat off tomorrow with three teams — Red, Black and Yellow — and run for six rounds before the grand final on Aug 22. Meanwhile, CPNG deputy chairman Rio Fiocco said they were pleased to have Boroko Motors announce the start of the Isuzu Cup. “It would be great to have cricket being played again here (at Amini Park) and this an important competition for CPNG,” he said. “Our Barramundis will be off to the T20 World Cup this year, so this is an important competition for all the players to stake their claim for a spot in the final squad. “This is not the first time we’ve brought Boroko Motors in the Isuzu Cup, it has been ongoing and the players have really enjoyed the high-level competition. “We’re all looking forward to seeing some great cricket.”