Mendi names side for Kundiawa tournament

THE Mendi rugby league is sending a 17-man development squad to participate in the upcoming Highlands Zone championship in Kundiawa, Chimbu, next weekend.
The Highland Zone championship is expected to attract more than 10 teams from all the registered PNGRFL centres from the Highlands region which will run over three days.
League president Richard Awasa told The National that the management has completed their selection to field a team to challenge with other league playing centres in the region.
He said although the team was young and lacking experience, it was a development squad selected from the local competition with the aim of preparing them for future duties with the Mendi Muruks.
Awasa is hoping that the team would be based in the province after making Lae and Madang their home ground for more than six years.
The Mendi Muruks have been using Lae and Madang as their home ground after their Tente rugby league ground was destroyed in a tribal war between two groups living on the outskirt of the town.
However, the league ground is currently undergoing major rehabilitation and construction with the presentation of K2.5 million by the provincial government for a mini stadium.
Awasa said that the development squad was selected on merit after trial championship held in Mendi two weeks ago, in which many raw talents were identified.
The squad: Joe Ambros, Joker jones, Micky Mark, Mike Pos, Johny Kema, Greg Helabe, Ronnie Tenza, Wingert Kembo, Peter Andrew,Robert Boli, Samuel Sok, Thom Africa, Wesky Goiye, Andrew Ipi, Vincent Konj, Feblun Timon and Billy Yakopa.
They are prepared to make up the Mendi Muruks team when they return to the province next year.
He said the league after being absent for about three years made a come back in the open without proper facilities with about eight clubs participating in the competition.
The team will be coached by former Mioks coach Sutherland Yore who will be assisted by Paul Nip and trained and managed by Jim Temo.
Meanwhile, Awasa said the province was experiencing many positive changes, especially in Mendi town after the re-introduction of league.