Joseph hails Sports Tok 7s tournament

FORMER Papua New Guinea Pukpuk Paul Joseph, hailed the success of the inaugural Sports Tok 7s tournament over the Easter weekend.
The domestic tournament was the first of the year and a massive turn out from spectators indicated the hunger of the rugby union fraternity in the nation’s capital.
Joseph also commended the three teams from outside Port Moresby — Madgauns (Madang), Black Orchids (Bougainville) and the Highlanders (Southern Highlands).
“Having three teams from outside Port Moresby come and take part was great,” Joseph said.
“This is our first sevens tournament of the year after a very long time.
“Sevens followers have been really hungry for games and such a tournament was a testament of that.
“Teams from outside didn’t come for the prize money, they just wanted to play the game because it’s been a long while.
“Hopefully this tournament can pave way for other tournaments to follow through.”
The tournament also provided the opportunity for the members of the PNG Pukpuks squad for the Hong Kong 7s and Commonwealth Games to get some match fitness.
“This initiative also provided the opportunity for our national players who are preparing for the Hongkong 7s and the Commonwealth Games.
“They can do training off the field but it’s also good for them to play in such tournaments to keep them fit and use it as a trial leading up to major events.
Joseph said the tournament would have benefited to the next generation of talent.
“We also had younger players coming to take part and it was good for them to rub shoulders with the established national players.”
After the success of the tournament the Sports Tok magazine is now planning to have the tournament played annually.
“They have shown great confidence in sevens to run this first of this kind of tournament and we are happy to make it an annual event,” Joseph added.
“Over the course of the tournament we saw some quality sevens played. All in all, it was a good tournament and other sponsors I’d like to thank sponsors like Telikom and the National Sports Trust Limited for allowing us to have the finals under the lights at Bava Park.”