Lae tourney attracts 49 soccer sides

By LARRY ANDREW
THE Wawens Cup, boasting 49 teams, will have its elimination finals tomorrow, according to match commissioner Alex Toki.
Toki told The National yesterday that 39 men’s, four women’s and six Under-17 teams were competing in the football tournament.
Most teams are from Lae and surrounding districts with a some sides coming from outside provinces.
Eastern Highlands is represented by Bona Fida United with Bay Side, New Town Jets, Ramu Sugar Association and Cane City coming from Madang.
“We have village teams Ngarodau, Munum, Dagua Wawens (East Sepik), Sisi Sharks (Siassi Island), Nayudos (Teptep-Kabwum), Waso (Wampit),” Toki said.
“The Munum men’s has made it to the elimination finals.”
He said the men’s teams were split in eight pools with the women’s and U17 divisions using the round-robin system. “All games ended yesterday (Monday) and today we will see elimination playoffs and quarter finals,” Toki said.
“Wednesday, its semifinals then straight to the final showdown.
“In the men’s division, B-Tech is leading the Pool A, Munum Pool B, Wawens Blue Pool C, Buneng Pool D, Finschhafen and Tamigidu Pool E, Wawens Green Pool F, 10 City United Pool G and PS United Pool H.”
He told The National that in women’s division, Buneng had secured a berth in the final.
They await the winner of the Wawens-Murat semifinal.
For the U17 division, matches are still been played before the teams for the finals are comfirmed.
Toki praised Zilu Scientific for buying the trophies and Manolos Aviation for stepping in to airlift the Wawens Cup for the final.
He also acknowledged the Namuesh family for initiating the tournament.
“The Wawens Cup is open to support from companies to help develop soccer at the grassroots level.”