Hekari Central Cup starts today

 By HENRY MORABANG
THE Papaka Sports Association will host the week-long Hekari Central Cup at Bisini Soccer Grounds starting today.
The Hekari Central Cup will be contested by 11 villages from the Hood Lagoon area of Central which include Papaka, Kalo, Karawa, Gemo, Alewai, Makerupu (pool A); Keapara, Alukuni, Hula, Kamali, Kaparoko and Papaka (pool B).
Local organising committee chairman Paul Isorua urged Hood Lagoon villagers and residents of Port Moresby to come and support the tournament.
He said the purpose of the tournament was to give village communities the opportunity to expose untapped young rural foootballers.
Isorua thanked the president of Papaka Sports Association and former Hekari goalkeeper David Aua for hosting the tournament to scout future Hekari players.
He thanked Hekari United, through John Kapi Natto and his wife, Vonnie, for being the major sponsor of the tournament under their franchise.
The winner of the tournament will walk away with K8000 and  the Hekari Central Cup.
The second prize is K4000 and runners-up trophy, third prize K2000 with a consolation trophy, and fourth prize is K1000.
Individual awards:  most valuable player K500 and trophy; golden boot K500 cash and trophy; golden glove K500 cash and trophy.
John Kapi Natto said the tournament was primarily to scout future players for Hekari as well as giving something back to the community for the past services of Hood Lagoon and Central players such as Kema Jack, Gure Gabina, David Aua, Leslie Kalai, Lawrence Moses, Karo Ila, Kila Amini, Kila Polena and Tau Winnie.
The National Soccer League franchise’s prize money from last year’s grand final loss and minor premiership will be used to host the tournament.