Madang set to host 7s tourney

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Wednesday 15th May 2013

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

THE picturesque Madang town will take centre stage when it hosts 10 centres in the Duban Cup rugby 7s spectacular at the Ron Albert Oval next weekend.

The Madang Rugby Football Union (MARFU) and prominent backer Sigma Construction have set the stage for 24 teams to vie for the K10,000 prize money on offer.

Madang MP Nixon Duban sponsored the cup with a donation of K10,000 during a commitment made after last year’s tournament. 

Among the contenders gearing up for the two-day event include the stylish Pacific MMI Kimbe Rebels, sleeping giants Black Orchids from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Morobe Hammerheads from Lae and Goroka Kilituas from the Eastern Highlands.

Other registered teams so far are OTML Cats (Ok Tedi),  Goroka Mogohani, Mendi Mustangs, Mendi Development, Morobe Tiger Sharks, Harlequins (Lae), Royals (Lae), Kimbe Rebels Development, Baby Gauns Development, Pirates (Madang).

Teams from Port Moresby, Rabaul, Kavieng and Popondetta have indicated interest but have yet to confirm.

Last year’s winners Mad Gauns are also set to defend their title again. 

A highlight of the weekend will be the staging of a women’s rugby sevens exhibition match prior to the finals on Saturday.

Interested women will undergo a training programme under PNG Palais coaching staff and representative players Jill Yallon, Margaret Naua, Kymlie Rapilla and Geua Larry to help select two teams for the exhibition match.

Tournament organiser Stephen Komes said the promotion of women’s rugby has been long outstanding and urged other centres to take up the initiative as well.

In regards to corporate support, Travel Air “Mangi lo Peles” has come on board to support the tournament by providing special fares to all away teams flying into Madang and Madang Star International Hotel will provide special rates for the away tournament officials.

Komes also made special mention of Air Sanga Ltd owner Gibson Nakandaul for sponsoring the trophies and medals for the tournament.

Teams wanting to participate can contact MARFU president Geoffrey Bai on 7195 3856 or email [email protected]

The deadline for team registration is May 22.