Dalnan 7s to revive code in Namatanai

NAMATANAI, New Ireland, will host the Dalnan 7s tournament from Sept 14-15.
Tournament coordinator Trevor Kamaga said the tournament was into its second year and had attracted 20 teams in its inaugural competition.
He said preparations were now in progress for the event to coincide with the country’s 43rd Independence Day anniversary weekend.
“This event is the initiative of local company Dalnan Group to support its local youths through sports,” Kamaga said.
“It is our social obligation to support the community where we belong and this year the company has thrown its support behind the local rugby programme in Namatanai.”
He said Dalnan Investment had committed their support to the Namatanai rugby programme.
“With the support to rugby union in Namatanai this year, I am giving out 20 percent of the Dalnan rugby union funds, basically as donations to the health and education sector in the district.”
Kamaga said last year a total of 15 teams took part with teams from Konos Station in the Central New Ireland local level government and from Namatanai town and nearby wards in the Namatanai LLG.
“We will use the 7s tournament as preparation for the Namatanai Rugby Football Union (NRFU) to select our side for the upcoming Bismarck Cup (15s).
“Basically this will help NRFU executives to create awareness and capture our youth’s interests leading to the Bismarck Cup.”
Kamaga said they were trying to revive their 15s competition competition and the 7s tournament was a good start.
A total of K10,500 in prize money will be given cup, plate and bowl winners and runners-up.
Teams can register with a K500 fee and they can do so from July 2 onwards. The Dalnan Cup will be launched on Sept 1.