Micah: Take your sport seriously

FORMER MP Ben Micah and patron of the Micah Sports Ltd said he was prepared to put money into sports as long as youths took their game seriously.
“I want to give where my heart is and my heart is with the youths,” he said last Friday during the launching of the 2011 National Murat Soccer Championships which his organisation is a major sponsor of.
The tournament is being staged again this year after 24 years and started on Sunday.
In his opening remarks Micah stressed the significance of the initiative taken by his company to assist in sporting activities in the country as it fulfilled the private-partnership approach advocated by the government.
He said the approach was viable in today’s sporting codes.
Micah added everyone must play a role in the establishment of any sporting activities within their communities.
He encouraged participating teams to seriously consider the benefits of soccer rather than just using it as a tool for their personal gain.
“Soccer had done more in the world than governments.
“Therefore, the Ben Micah Sports Ltd is aiming at raising the standard of soccer in the province to a higher level,” he said.
He said along with the established New Ireland Soccer Association (NISA), the Murat Championship would prepare for the proposed 2012-13 Niu Ailan Competition Soka Titles, Liklik Pikinini Soka Programme, District LLG Games preparations and the 2013 National Murat Soccer Championships.
Micah said the total prize money for the championships was K7,000 with the men’s winners getting K3,000, and the runners-up K1,500.
The women’s winners and runners-up would net K2,000 and K1,000 respectively.
He said the trophy would be the major prize for five consecutive championships and a continued sponsorship package from the Ben Micah Sports Ltd.
Micah also acknowledged the presence of Morobe sports administrator, Ludwig Peka in the province prior to commencement of the championships to carry out coaching and referees’ clinics.
Peka is also the current Morobe Mining Joint Venture Bulolo United Football coach in the semi-professional National Soccer League and was on a scouting tour in the province.
He said to be a champion in the game of soccer, players must remain focussed on and off the field.
Peka was confident that soccer could reach new levels in New Ireland.