Lahanis soar over million in backing

 By ZACHERY PER

THE Bintangor Goroka Lahanis are K350,000 richer after the opening round of the Digicel Cup last Sunday.

Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso and Chuave MP and Vice Minister for Mining Wera Mori donated K300,000 and K50,000 respectively. The money is believed to have been sourced from the members’ discretionary funds.

The windfall gives the Lahanis board headed by chairwoman Serah Shelley over a million kina (K1,055,000) to see the team through through the season. 

Bintangor Trading managing director Simon Sia of Asia Pacific Investment Ltd initially paid half a million kina to the Lahanis this year.  

Making the presentation before a packed crowd at the National Sports Institute in Goroka on Sunday, Soso thanked Mori for his financial support for the Lahanis.

She said Mori was like a true Eastern Highlander.

Mori was made patron of the Lahanis early this year after financially supporting the Lahanis for more than a decade though his company, Mori Resource Limited.

He could not make it to the opening round of the competition when the Lahanis hosted the Prima Goods Gulf Isapaeas but that did not deter him from calling Lahanis franchise owner Simon Sia to announce his contribution.

Gulf Governor Havila Kavo, who was at the NSI on Sunday, witnessed the contributions and commitments made towards the Lahanis. 

Unggai Bena MP and Lands and Physical Planning Minister Benny Allen and Henganofi MP Robert Atiyafa committed K50,000 each. 

Business houses in Goroka have again come good for the Lahanis, with direct financial contributions from Gold Bell Construction (K20,000), New Guinea Highlands Coffee (K15,000), David Wong and Istana Limited (K10000), JJ Enterprises from Kainantu (K10,000), Coffee Connexions (K10,000) and Gahuku Traders (K5,000).

Other financial commitments came from Super Value Stores (K10,000), Punjas (K15,000), Andrew Constructions (K10,000) and Ben Jomino (K10,000).

The Lahanis beat the Gulf Isapeas  24-16 at the National Sports Institute last week and face the Hela Wigmen in the Southern highlands capital this Sunday in the second week of the competition.