Kumuls spend time in Madang

Normal, Sports
Source:

JEFFREY ELAPA

THE 19-man Telikom-sponsored PNG Kumuls arrived in Madang by road from Mt Hagen and are camping out in Madang this week opting to stay out of Port Moresby for the interim while focusing on the Pacific Cup.
The team, who were booked into the Kalibobo Coastwatchers hotel, took yesterday off to relax and regather themslves after a gruelling match in Mt Hagen on Saturday.
They went for an afternoon swim at the Machine Gun beach along the Coronation drive where die-hard fans swarmed some of the players who were taking the stroll and sight-seeing around town.
Head trainer Neil Dunkley told The National before going out to swim at the famous  beach that all the players were injury free and were top condition for their first game on Oct 25.
He said the side would be in Madang until Friday before flying back to Port Moresby.
However he said the Kumuls were happy staying in Madang, despite one or two hiccups including the use of pool facilities at a local hotel.
The team also lacked assistance in utilities such transportation for officials to use and move about in preparing the teams training schedule for the stay in Madang.
The only 25-seater bus hired is being used by the players but team officials need a back-up vehicle which they are hoping to secure soon.
The absence of assistance from the provincial administration and the Madang local league has been dissappointing.
Compounding the situation the training field at the Ron Albert field was uncut and the Kumuls had to come in and arrange machines to mow the field.
The team will have two training sessions each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon but the full programme is yet to be released.