Konden, Pagali thank Paga for role in rise to Cup

HELA Wigmen new recruits Siki Konden and Peter Pagali thanked Port Moresby Rugby Football League (POMRFL) club, Paga Panthers, for helping them reach the Digicel Cup.
Centre Konden made his inter-city debut with the defending premiers in round one as they defeated Goroka Lahanis 24-4 at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.
“I played with Paga for some time and we reached the POMRFL A-Grade semifinals where we lost to Tarangau last year,” Konden said.
“Straight after the POMRFL season, the Wigmen invited me to join them in the pre-season.
“I finally made the final squad and made my debut in round one.
“I’m grateful to Paga for helping develop my game and now I can play at the semi-professional level.”
Pagali said Paga was a family-oriented club.
“That’s what makes the club different,” he said.
“The team culture and their passion has seen them develop many players and I am one of them.
“I joined Paga in 2018 and played in the Under-20s.
“Our coach, Richard Wagambie, is like a father to us.
“He recommended me for our A-Grade team last year.
“I played alongside Siki Konden in the semifinal loss to Tarangau.
“I also got the Digicel Cup call-up after that.
“There were four of us from Paga who had pre-season trials with inter-city clubs, but only Siki and I were successful.”