District of Origin 9s set for Hagen show

By LIAS LARI
WESTERN Highlands will stage the District of Origin rugby league nines challenges this weekend during the Mt Hagen cultural show at Kagamuga.
The nines was sponsored by the Highlander Hotel with K10,000 with the finals to be on Sunday.
The nines competition will run in the four districts: Mt Hagen, Mul- Baiyer, Tambul-Nebilyer and Dei.
Western Highlands provincial show sports coordinator James Mininga said incorporating the nines into the show would only add to the event bringing in teams from all four districts.
Mininga said players who are playing in any of the clubs in Mt Hagen, Gomis or Nebilyer leagues would have to return to their home districts to play for their teams.
“The District of Origin is a bonus for the people and fans and I would like to thank Highlander Hotel and Leo Berka, regional hotel manger Coral Sea Hotel, Mt Hagen for sponsoring the nines,” Mininga said.
Mininga said on Saturday show goers would have a chance of seeing sky divers and local music bands as well as the nines.
Mininga said the match committee and the coordinators would ensure the game started and ended peacefully.
“I would like to call on the teams to start going into their camps and prepare for the teams over the weekend,” Mininga said.
He said the nines tournament was a bonus for showgoers and depending on how successful the games were at the show venue.
“Those teams who have organised their players and are ready to play in the first District of Origin nines tournament at the Kagamuga showgrounds, should see the organisers as soon as possible.”