Isoaimo backs Lakwaharu 9s team

 By TONY PALME KIP

KAIRUKU-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo gave K20,000 assistance to the Lakwaharu Rugby 9s team, who travelled to Australia on Saturday to participate in the Cairns Edmonton Storm Super 9s selection trials.

He made the presentation last Friday at his Konedobu office to Hiri Rugby League chairman Mickey Kone and coach Moses Matuka.

The team, comprising 30 players and officials, left on Saturday and were to have played their first match in the afternoon after their arrival.

Kone said most of the youths were schoolboys and were selected from Hiri teams in villages between Gaire and Manumanu. “We to thank the member for his continued support,” Kone said.

“The boys have prepared well and most of them are talented players with skills and speed.”

Isoaimo, who is the patron, said sports nowadays had been commercialised in countries like Australia, where athletes got attractive salary incentives.

“If our young boys can perform and secure spots with teams in the Intrust Super Cup or the Digicel Cup, it would be a success story.

“This is money well-spent and we will continue to support the different sporting codes to identify potential athletes, who can represent the district, province and country.”

Isoaimo said sports was a pathway that could build a rewarding career for many youths and had proved to prevent law and order problems.

“We have talented players packed with skills and speed in Central and the Southern Region, who selectors for the Kumuls and Hunters should look at recruiting.

“The game of rugby league is won through skills and speed and this is an opportunity for our boys to showcase themselves,” he said.

Coach Matuka said the team believed in their ability to produce exceptional results.