Mendi league names junior sides for next month’s trials

TWO schoolboys sides from Southern Highlands will travel to Goroka, Eatsern Highlands, in an attempt to regain some lost provincial pride in the regional trials from June 13-14.
The U16 side enjoyed some success in 2016 when it won the tournament, with the U18 side finishing third.
Mendi schoolboys’ coordinator Miriam Tahon said the side was finalised recently and had already begun training as a team.
“Our U16 schoolboys’ side did well to win the trials in 2016 and will be aiming to regain that lost pride after missing out last year,” Tahon said.
“We did not take part last year because of the elections and a lot of political infighting in the province but now we are good to go.
“We have finalised our teams for U16 and U18 from 10 schools in the province.
“Three players who were part of our schoolboys’ sides in 2016 are now playing with the Mendi Muruks in the Digicel Cup.
“They are Bobby Tenza, Jeremiah Pond and Kennedy Kembo,” she said.
“Our Schoolboys’ sides are our foundation but it seems that we don’t get enough financial support.
“We have already started planning to do fundraising to get our teams to Goroka next month,” Tahon said.
U16 squad: 1. Ponolo Tufi 2. Bitro Nolpi 3. Moses Jeffrey 4. Bobby Julia 5. Jeremiah Talo 6. Emmanuel Yosi 7. Norman Kengi 8. Stallon Kai 9. Jut Kopol 10. Jerry Joel 11. Gilbert Kelly 12. Gideon Kalima 13. Philemon Nom 14. Brian Ayako 15. Mawe Tui 16. Alfie Kunda 17. Jasper Alkend 18. Bun Joseph 19. Freddie Francis. 20 Abraham Sap.
U18 squad: 1. Junior Nila 2. Orim Meleke 3. Lulu Wiku 4. Jerot Nolpi 5. Gordon Kope 6. Jerry David 7. Hawape Felix 8. Jacob Tui 9. Norma Peter 10. Solomon Wane 11. Weath Tom 12. Clifford Kara 13. Ezekiel Birop 14.Deki Peter 15. Willie Apo 16. Jerry Kep 17. Micah Osehn 18. Eden Meleke 19. Firman Paul.