Hekari duo in Fiji for Battle of Giants tourney

 HEKARI FC’s David Muta and Koriak Upaiga slipped out of the country on Friday to join Labasa in Fiji for the week-long Battle of Giants competition which starts tomorrow.

Labasa has a sister club relationship with Hekari and this has enabled two men to play for the Northern Fijian district in the premier competition. 

There are the second lot of players from PNG champion club to play for Labasa – the first two were Wira Wama and Kema Jack.

Hekari is doing its best in marketing PNG talent around the Pacific region with invitations coming from local clubs requesting players from Papua New Guinea.

Upaiga (pictured left) and Muta are two key figures for the NSL’s reigning champion side, and are PNG internationals, who took part in last month’s Oceania Champions League. 

Muta thanked his club for giving him the opportunity to take part in a high quality tournament.

Upaiga, on the other hand, encouraged young sports men and women to stay stay focused on their goals and discipline themselves in the games.

“Nothing is impossible if you are committed, spiritually and physically, you can achieve your goal,” Koriak said.

The PNG duo will join their Fijian counterparts in Maciu Dunadamu, Pita Bolaitoga and Taniela Waqa, all of whom play for the district. 

The Fijians have been playing for the Port Moresby-based Hekari in the recent months and will be joining forces with the new arrivals to form the nucleus of a strong side.

The tournament is one of three major events on Fiji’s footballing calendar. 

The BOG, established in 1978, takes place from July 16 to Aug 18 at Ratu Cakabau Park, Nausori.