Enga’s NSL hopes with Ipatas

 By CYRIL GARE 

THE Enga provincial government is taking the lead once again in sport in its bid to franchise a soccer team in the Telikom National Soccer League competition next year.

With the 2013 season nearing its end, Enga Governor Peter Ipatas is raising his hand to back a team for the upcoming season. 

Ipatas, known as the “action governor”, has a reputation for funding social and educational programmes and has been the driving force behind the Digicel Cup’s Mioks and the largest off-season rugby league competition in the country the Ipatas Cup.

Indications from the governor’s office are that an expression of interest would be made in August, when the nominations open for 2014 season. 

Ipatas said with two prominent Engans in Isaac Lupari and Dan Kakaraya in the league’s hierarchy this was a good time to usher in the region’s second NSL club and also join two other Highlanders who own franchises.

Ipatas took time off his busy scheduled to witness the 24 teams battle it out in competition over the weekend.   

The provincial government allocated K750,000 in this year’s budget to fence in Mommer’s oval in a move to upgrade facilities, a requirement for entry into country’s top soccer competition. 

An earlier, amount (K20,000) was used to maintain the soccer field during the season. 

Wabag MP Robert Ganim, also gave K30,000 to the association last week which president Rudy Yambu intends to use for the training of referees and coaches.

Round 2 Results: Backstreet 2 Blue Kumuls 1, Teachcom 3 Wapenamanda 1, Depz 2 HLis 0, YCR 4 BSP 3, Mc Strikers 0 Panda 0, Gateway 0 Enga Fisheries 0. 

Women’s results: Blue Kumuls 3 Backstreet, Depz 2 HLis 0, Gateway 0 Enga Fisheries 0, YCR 0 BSP 3, Teachcom 1 Wapenamanda 1, MC Strikers 1 Panda 1.