Musa tourney on

REIGNING Musa Cup soccer champions Koiari Musa will face a stiff challenge at the annual tournament to be held at Sasia station, Northern province.
Koiari Musa, who won the inaugural title last year, comprise players of Musa, Northern, living in National Capital District and Central province.
They will be led by former PNG international Charles Api.
Musa Cup promoter Jim Abani told The National yesterday that Koiari faced strong opposition in the Dec 24-Jan 1 event.
Likely challengers are Musa United, who play in the NCD public servants tournament in Port Moresby, and Asum from the Popondetta competition.
The other challenges would come from 16 teams representing ward council areas in Sasia LLG.
Abani said he took the initiative with fellow Bibira people living in the nation’s capital to promote and develop soccer.
He wanted to take the brand name back to the village to stage the sporting competition to get more young people playing.
“We want to stage a competition to allow the city boys to travel home to play and trade some soccer skills and techniques during the one-week tournament.”
Abani said he expected the tournament to be better than last year.

Reports from Sasia station said that preparations were progressing for the tournament to be kicked off on Dec 24.
Meanwhile, Abani strongly endorsed Oro Governor Garry Juffa’s comment to review sports policy in the province and assist more young people to develop their soccer skills.
He also commended Juffa’s initiative to field in two franchise teams, Oro Birdwings in the National Soccer League and Oro Butterfly RFLC in the Digicel Cup rugby league competition.