Madang set to host touch championship in May

 By JACK AMI

THIRTEEN associations have been confirmed to play in the National Seniors and Masters Touch Championships from July 19-21 in Madang.

This was confirmed by Touch Federation PNG president Peter Bernard from Madang yesterday.

Bernard said hosts Madang Urban, Madang Mimilon, Pom Corporate, Central, Pom Industrial, Kainantu, Kavieng, Lihir, Rabaul, Lae, Goroka, Higaturu (Northern) and Kimbe would take part.

Favourites are hosts Madang, Mi­milon, Pom Corp, Central and Kainantu, while PITA, Lae, Kavieng and Kimbe are underdogs.

City associations Pom Corp, Central and PITA are under intensive training preparing for the event headed by John Bonot, Andrew Oli and Joe Yore respectively.

In its three years of existence, PITA has done well during the Easter championship in Goroka as runners-up in the men’s and women’s open divisions against champions, Pom Corp.

Bernard has appointed John Bunbun as tournament director and Walter Monbi in charge of accommodation and logistics.

Madang Touch Football Association, with Bunbun, Monbi and Bernard, are preparing to stage one of the biggest championships.

The Masters competition will witness some of the best footballers in the men’s and women’s divisions who have represented the country. 

Bernard said the open men’s and women’s final squads for the Asian Games would be announced soon.