Football unites Murat people

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Wednesday 21st December 2011

By FRANKIY KAPIN
FOOTBALL is popular among the people of Mussau, Mira and Tench in the Murat local level government (LLG) of Kavieng district, New Ireland.
Since the introduction of football in the province, the people of Murat LLG were the ones to promote the sport and have made it popular.
One event that is making a comeback among the people is the Murat Soccer Championships.
The championship has been dormant since 1985.
This year it has been revived and will be held in Kavieng on Dec 25-29.
Tournament director Warren Thomas said the tournament was initiated in 1974 by a Robinson Asotau.
The challenge was held in 1976, 1979, 1983 and 1985.
Thomas said soccer was a catalyst to unite the people and promote their culture and customs.
Games committee member Gilchrist Walter said 32 teams would be participating at the championship.
There will be 22 men’s and 11 women’s teams.
Walter said the teams had been slotted into four pools for the men’s and two categories for the women.
He said Murat teams from centres outside New Ireland started arriving last Friday.
Other teams will be arriving from Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, Kimbe, Rabaul and Kokopo.
Most of the teams attending the event are from the province. They are Kavieng 1, Kavieng 2, Kavieng 3, Lihir, Taskul, Mussau 1, Mussau 2, Mussau 3, Emirau 1, Emirau 2, Kaplaman and Yamaros 2.
Walter said Arawa withdrew last Friday.
He said the opening would be on Friday and competition kicks off on Sunday.
The tournament has the backing of Ben Micah Sports, Aloga 42, Kavieng MP Martin Aini, Kavieng town mayor Greg Toksie Seth and the Bank South Pacific branch.
Former PNG soccer representative Ludwig Peka from the Morobe Sports Administration will be officiating at the tournament.