Mud Skippers crush Wewak Hill in opener

By SULI SULI
LAST season’s Wewak Football Association grand finalists Mud Skippers kicked off their campaign with a 5-0 opening-round shutout of Wewak Hill in the East Sepik capital last weekend.
Other results in the premier division saw Caltex edge Mundani 2-1 and Nuigo sink Apolokai 3-1.
Association general secretary Mervyn Mandawa told
The National that they had six premier clubs and 10 in division one.
“Each premier club has a team each in the men’s, women’s and Under-20 divisions,” he said.
“For division one, it’s open, they can either have a team in men’s or women’s category.”
Mandawa said the majority of the existing clubs were unable to register in the premier division due to a lack of participation last season. “Most existing clubs in did not qualify for the premier division due to their unavailability last season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mandawa said the association had been instrumental in helping keep Wewak youths occupied through soccer.
“It’s through soccer that we unite communities,” he said.
“When youths are engaged in soccer, we there’s less trouble in Wewak.”

“  When youths are engaged in soccer, we there’s less trouble in Wewak.”

Under president Judith Kumasi, the association is continuing to develop young players.
“Our aim is to bring in Papua New Guinea Football Association and Fifa benefits, and promote local talents to the rest of PNG and Oceania,” Mandawa said.
Mandawa said Kumasi kicked off the season.
“We thank all the clubs that turned up for round one over the weekend,” he said.
“We also thank the referees and officials who oversaw the matches.
“We appeal to local business houses to support the clubs and association.”