Goroka United staying strong

**Goroka United president Mathew Mieh (left) receiving a cheque for K10,000 from sponsor Harry Kore in the presence of club secretary Maxie Roida, players and officials last week.**

By ZACHERY PER
ONE of Goroka’s six foundation clubs, Goroka United continues to identify and develop talented players who compete in the premier rugby league competition of Eastern Highlands.
Club legend Noko Koko said United, Royals, Tigers, Tarangau, Brothers and Hawks were the foundation sides that joined Goroka Rugby League in the 1970s.
Koko could not recall the exact year in which the league had been established, but he said United were there since the competition came into existence.
He said some employees of Elcom (now PNG Power), Department of Primary Industry and teachers were the founding players of United.
The club then attracted more players as the years went by. Koko joined United in 1975 and played in the Under-20s while attending the then Goroka High School.
The then student would usually come into Goroka to play for United on the weekends before returning to Aiyura National High School.
“Ever since the club joined the league, it had never missed a season,” Koko said.
“United still compete in the league today.
“Over the years, United had produced many rugby league greats in the likes of myself, Aho Baliki, Douglas Warigi, Joppa Gomia, Hubert Pokana, Benny Allan (Unggai-Bena MP), David Gomia and Martin Abori.
“The club had also produced Makali Aizue, Nicko Slain, Charlie Buka, Kiagi Launa, Glen Nami, Maxie Roida (former League president), Aiye Tambua (Goroka MP), Elizah Gomae, late Amos Kindeno, Paul Makeso, Aiden Kiagi, Pius Koko (league president),
Mathew Inapero and Stanley Gotaha among others.”
He said the club had continued its legacy while others had been inconsistent with their league participation over the years.
Koko said many United players had excelled at the district, regional, Digicel Cup, national and international levels with Papua New Guinea Kumuls legend Aizue going as far as the United Kingdom to ply his trade.
Koko himself had played representative football in the 1980s and was the coach of the regional side in the 1990s.

**From left: Goroka United president Mathew Mieh with club legends Noko Koko, Hubert Pokana, Wayne Warigiso and Nicko Slain, who is now the head coach. – Pictures supplied**

“It is through sheer determination and commitment that the club has converted Sepika villagers into rugby league greats, technical officials and administrators, and is proud of these achievements,” he said.
“Today, we have a new generation of players.
“We are grateful to one of our own sons, Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management Department secretary Harry Kore, for sponsoring the club this season.”
Club legend Pokana played on the wing for the district and regional sides.
He played against former Great Britain captain Ellery Hanley and winger Martin Offiah during a Lions tour in Lae in 1986.
“I urge young players not to take drugs and drink alcohol but to concentrate on playing the game and making a living from it,” Pokana said.
This season, the new-look club continues to thrive under the presidency of Mathew Mieh.
Mieh re-affirmed that United were continuing its reputation and legacy as a productive club.
He said the club depended entirely on sponsors with Kore coming on board to back the club this season.
“I thank him for his enthusiasm and decision,” Mieh said after receiving a K10,000 sponsorship from Kore recently.
“We are trying our best to have competent people run the club.
“We’ve got former Lahanis skipper and Kumuls forward Nicko Slain as head coach.
“Under his guidance, we want professionalism to be instilled in the club.
“Consequently, we’ve won the last eight-straight games.
“We want to triumph all the way to the grand final and win it. I’m thrilled that we are up there among the best.”
Slain said he was excited about the winning streak with their most recent victory being an 8-6 triumph over Goroka Labels Tigers at the Sir Danny Leahy Oval last Sunday.