Madang sweep U17, U20 titles

 By HENRY MORABANG

MADANG scooped a double as the Niugini Tablebirds National Youth Football tournament for U17 and U20 men ended on a high note last Friday at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province.

The Flying Fox town won the U17 boys tournament by defeating Lahi 3-1 and in the U20, they defended the title by knocking off NCDPSSA 1-0.

Eighteen teams took part in the four day tournament which kicked off last Tuesday.  

The teams took part were from Manus, Madang, Port Moresby (NCD PSSA & PMSA), Markham, Lae (LFA & Lahi), Wau/Bulolo, Mumeng, Dregaffen and Goroka.

The U17 pool games had seven teams; Lahi, LFA, Wau, Bulolo, Madang, Mumeng and Goroka, while the U-20s had 11 teams; Lahi, Manus, PMSA, Markham, NCD PSSA, Madang, Wau, Bulolo, LFA and host Goroka.

The U20 Madang side had to overcome a stiff challenge from the Port Moresby boys NCD PSSA to defend the title.  

PNGFA CEO Dimirit Mileng expressed gratitude to the sponsors for the successful tournament. 

Goroka president Cathy Agunam said players had shown that they had lots of potential and skills to improve to another level.