Lahanis start training

BINTANGOR Goroka Lahanis will be kicking off their training session for this year’s bemobile Cup challenge next week.
Over the last two months, the management of Lahanis had been screening their players to monitor their form and their capabilities to take the Cup to Eastern Highlands after missing out in the semi-finals last season.
Lahanis board deputy chairman Himony Lapiso said it was going to be another challenging year for the “Apos” with the core of their players retained to lead their charges this season.
Skipper Glen Nami and Sigfred Gande are both expected to carry their Pacific Cup experience into this year’s campaign to inspire their young guns.
A 25-man training squad has already been named after the possible and probable selection trials held over the festive Christmas break.
The team officials will also be having a one-on-one interview with their players next week to finalise their sole-searching campaign for each player, before they go public to announce their final squad.
Lahanis management also recruited young players under their scouting programmes to beef up their campaign.
They will also give them an opportunity to expose their talents at the bemobile Cup level.
The 2009 semi-professional competition is expected to be bigger and better with new teams – Simbu Warriors, Hela Wigmen, Gulf Siapea and Rigo Roosters – showing their interest in entering the competition this season.
PNG National Rugby League board will be having their meeting on Saturday to decide on the number of teams for this year’s challenge.