Lahanis overhaul

By ZACHERY PER
WITH reigning champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis eager to retain the Digicel Cup this year, the board and management have come down hard on players who do not perform.
The Lahanis have started their preparations to defend the cup and nearly half of the players have found themselves being exempted from the team.
The board headed by franchise owner Simon Sia said last week that half of the players had been released while the other half had been retained.
The decision was made during its final meeting for last year in Goroka.
After careful scrutiny of individual players’ performances last year, the board had decided that centre Chris Hogi will sit out this season to recover on medical grounds. Other players on retirement are Tony Dai, Limu Willie, Minaho Goso and George Abba.
The board also released John Arme Gand, Dickson Pitu, John Milba, Ismael Avute, Willy John John and Maya Siove.  However, Peter Danga said depending on their performance at the club level the players could be recalled to the Lahanis.
Players retained for Lahanis for the Digicel Cup season this year are Adex Wera, Spiro Mikaive, Thompson Teteh, Kinsley Jaggie, Casey Frank, Walter Hasu, Gonzella Urakusie, Yappa Kapu, Wesley Mohokule, Joseph Peter, Micah Soboni, Glen Nami, Elvis Dick and Nicko Ubile.
 The board will also be scouting for young ta­lents in Eastern Highlands schoolboys rugby league competition (the U18-U19) to join the Lahanis this year.
The Lahanis board said the youngsters would be given the chance to train and play alongside some of the senior Lahanis players.
The board has also tasked club statistician Da­niel Nami and member Pat Siwi to select two sides (Goroka One and Goroka Two) to play each other.
From the match, a strong side would be selected to play against the Lahanis from which the board and management will pick a Lahanis training squad for this year.
The tentative schedule will see two Goroka sides named by the board early this month.
By Jan 22, the two sides play each and players will be selected to play the Lahanis on Jan 29.
A final selection of the Goroka Lahanis for this year will finalised and on Feb 1, the squad goes into training to prepare for the Digicel Cup.