High interest forces Toti Cup organisers to expand competition

THE Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored Toti Cup soccer tournament is continuing to empower players from rural Morobe and neighbouring provinces.
While it is just the second year of the tournament, which is aimed at identifying players for Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) champions Lae City, the interest from teams has forced the organising committee to increase participation numbers.
According to tournament chairman Edrish Kumbruwah, 49 teams registered for the tournament at Lae Football Association Park.
“Lae Biscuit Company remains steadfast about bringing out the best rural soccer talents in Papua New Guinea,” he said. “Through the Toti Cup, we’ve noticed that the hunger for soccer in rural PNG is huge.
“Therefore, Lae Biscuit Company will continue to provide an avenue to showcase these raw talents.
“The company believes that the approach not only serves its franchise but other NSL franchises that are looking for new players.
“The approach also adds value to the Papua New Guinea Football Association’s goals in terms of reaching rural communities and encouraging greater participation.”
Kumbruwah said with the record highest number of teams compared with other soccer tournaments in the province, an extra day had been added for the finals.