Gurias’ player auction nets franchise more than K100,000

Normal, Sports
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By BURI GABI

AGMARK Rabaul Gurias are setting the precedence for the rest of the franchise teams in the bemobile Cup competition with their record breaking auction last Friday at the Ralum club, raising K101,200.
Incumbent PNG Kumul frontrower and former Mendi Muruk Rodney Pora was the highest auctioned player on the night with the Minister for Information and Communication and Member for Kokopo, Patrick Tammur successfully bidding K10,000 for his man from Western Highlands.
It was a huge success for the Gurias with this year’s auction breaking the record for money raised from the previous years with most business houses in the New Guinea Islands region putting their hands up to support the 25-man Gurias squad.
Rolly Matalau was the second highest auctioned player with the Frangipeni hire cares dishing out K8,000 on the Gurias halfback, while forward Chanell Aquila and winger Boaz Ruru pulled in K7,500 and K7,000 respectively.
Agmark’s general manager Norm Pearson commended all the sponsors,who took part in the player auction, saying it had put the team on the front foot for the new season.
“For those sponsors who attended the players auction last Friday night, it was a huge success and exceeded last year’s record for raising funds. “The playing list of the team this year on paper is one the best we have assembled in the history of the club. The challenge now is to make sure that the best team on paper becomes the best team on the playing field and if it does, then we can once again bring the premiership cup back to the people of East New Britain,” Pearson added.
According to Pearson their platinum sponsorship also gives their company access to the players to assist them in promoting their respective business. This will be in the form of players attending trade shows, seminars, autograph sessions, dinners, BBQs, photo shoots, radio and TV advertising.