Madang gears up for Momase Games

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
MADANG is getting  ready for next year’s Momase Games with its six districts hosting their own games.
In Walium last Thursday, Madang Deputy Governor Bob Wati officially opened the Usino-Bundi games.
More than 1,000 people including players, spectators and officials as far as Lae, Madang, Ramu Sugar and Aiom, in lower Ramu, witnessed the kick off.
There will be men and women’s soccer, volleyball and basketball teams taking part in the games.
Major sponsors of the games, Lae Industrial Parts (LIP), and its managing director James Y Tadius, were acknowledged for their commitment in organising national soccer league referees, the trophies and spending K64,000 in seeing the games.
“I am thrilled to announce that through my persistence, Walium has won the bid to host next year’s Momase games,” he said.
Some Madang-based referees hired by LIP to participate in the games are  FIFA accredited Charles Romo, and NSL referees Tommy Peter and Joe Paul.
Tournament director, John Tom, said there would be 16 soccer teams four pools; women’s volleyball, 10 teams to play in two pools; men’s volleyball (four teams) and women’s soccer (six teams); women’s basketball have eight teams with four men’s teams all challenging in a round-robin format.
The aim of the district games is to allow the best locals to showcase their talents.
The games will be held on Jan 19-23.
Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet allocated K50,000 for the games.
The prizes will be the Sir Arnold Amet Cup for soccer (mens), Sir Peter Barter Cup for basketball (men), Sir John Middleton Cup for basketball (women), Angmai Bilas Cup for darts (mixed team), Sir Kubulan Los for volleyball (women).