Gulf eyeing more local talent

THE Gulf Province Sports Trust (GPST) says it expects to get more local and rural talent to represent the province in next year’s tournament.
GPST, in their 2018 review, said PRK Gulf Isou (rugby league) and Erema FC (soccer) would be filled players from Kokori and Kerema.
Chief executive Lawrence Lahari said GPST was launched earlier this year to develop and organise sporting infrastructure and facilities to support talent identification programmes, and to work with the private and public sectors in the community.
He said in March, Gulf Erema FC defeated Hekari FC to represent the Southern region at the Champions Cup in Lae.
“Erema FC beat Morobe FC to become champions of the (then) Football Federation of PNG (FFPNG),” Lahari said.
“We now face the task of going up against Hekari FC again in the Southern leg of the National Soccer League (NSL) next season. PRK Erema FC will confirm its participation in the NSL for next year (2019) and players are currently in intensive training with David Aua,” he said.
“With the FFPNG champions cup in the bag, to go one step further in the NSL will be a big challenge for the franchise.
“David has got plans to also identify rural talent and bring some boys in for camp.”
He said PRK Gulf Isou were also aiming to improve in the Digicel Cup next year.
He said despite only winning three of their 18 matches, Gulf Isou were remaining upbeat.
“We are looking forward to next year with all the lessons learnt on and off the field,” he said.
“We’ll be aiming for a top-five finish at the end of the season.”
He also stated to facelift the netball in schools as three girls being picked for the PNG Pepes after being played for Gulf in the National Netball Championship. He said this year had been a challenge but with the support from GPST, “we will be able to change the face of sports in the Gulf”.
“Our two flagships — Isou and Erema FC — will be our shining lights in 2019,” he said.
He thanked Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK), Orbitz Elevators, Kumul Petromin, Lae Biscuit Company through their brand TOTI, Prima Small Goods and PNG Ports for their supports.