Iga Papaka Cup expecting 50 teams

THE Iga Papaka Cup netball tournament is expected to attract about 500 netballers across 50 teams at Hula village in Central this Queen’s Birthday weekend. Tournament organiser Lawrence Lahari said this year’s tournament was expected to attract more teams from across Central and the National Capital District.  “We are expecting more than 500 netballers, male and female, to attend so far the biggest Iga Papaka Cup since its inception back in 2018,” he said.  “We have teams coming all the way from Abau, inland Rigo, Gabagaba, Tubusereia and Hanuabada. “As a family, we are so proud of our late mum (Iga Papaka Lahari) and what she was able to accomplish.
“It is with this desire that we take her same attitude, characteristics to grow the sport in her home village. “We want to promote what our late mum stood for and that is honesty, passion and hard work. “Those traits will make you successful.  “Mum was a hard nut on and off the court, she was fierce.  “But at home, she was loving and caring, she made sure she looked after all of us well.” Meanwhile, Lahari yesterday received 100 caps from Jack’s of PNG. Other business houses such as Goodman Fielder International, Prima Smallgoods, bmobile, Theodist and WR Carpenter Group also provided support. Netball Papua New Guinea president Ulato Avei boosted the Cup with a K1,000 donation while Nambawan Trophy Limited supplied the tournament with gear and trophies