Hanuabada league 9s competition set to kick off

By JACK AMI
THE Hanuabada Village League Nines tournament, which is set for March 3-10, starts tomorrow at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
This is going to be the first time for women in the Motu Koitabu villages to play rugby league nines against each other.
Former Lae Snax Tigers and HB Lalokau FM Hawks forward Nao Boge has initiated this tourney to select Motu-Koitabu women players for the Hawks club in the Port Moresby Rugby League season.
“I initiated and introduced this to have wider selections for women from the Motu-Koita villages to play for the club in its second season in the Port Moresby Rugby League competition,” Boge said.
“We have a lot of raw talent amongst the experienced players from Motu Koitabu villages such as Hanuabada, Elevala, Gabi, Tatana, Baruni, Pari, Vabukori and Kila Kila.
“Some of these girls play rugby union and it will be their first time to try out rugby league after weeks of training by their respective male senior players from the villages.
“It will be week-long event with the majority of the teams come from Hanuabada while other villages have two teams each.
“We are fortunate that Pacific Industries Ltd owner Paul Chue has supported us with K3000 to start the event under the GoGo Cola brand.”
Port Moresby Rugby League chairman Dr James Naipao has notified all 14 clubs to comply with the PNGRFL requirement to have women teams.
He said Hawks women have made it into the last season and other clubs should also have women’s teams this season.