Isou 9s to be used to pick Gulf side

THE newly-established Gulf Isou franchise will host a rugby league nines tournament this weekend to select potential players.
The club managed by the newly-created Gulf Provincial Sports Trust (GPST) will be taking part in the Digicel Cup competition for the first time this season.
GPST chief executive officer Lawrence Lahari said the Isou Nines was for all local level governments in the province and local players were expected to participate to be considered for inclusion in the new franchise.
“We have decided to come up with this tournament so we get good and fair representation from all corners of Gulf,” Lahari said.
“The teams must be from Gulf but we are not ruling out any other player that would like to come and trial.
“We are looking at a maximum of 16 teams for the Isou Nines tournament.
“It will be a team per LLG to get fair representation of all of Gulf province.
“At this stage we’re working with PNG Rugby Football League to have the Isou Nines run by PNGRFL as this will be a sanctioned event.
“We are expecting our Governor Chris Haiveta as well as other VIPs to attend.
“After a year of absence of a Gulf team in the Digicel Cup, it is good to be back.
“Gulf province has not been represented well in our national teams and we want to change that.
“Right now we want to ensure we get our back office right and get all out systems and process working to ensure that we have the best administration to get the Isou run like a professional organisation,” Lahari said.