NGCB supports Kimbe Rebels side

THE National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is the first company to extend its support to National Sevens champions, Kimbe Rebels, in their efforts to get to November’s Gold Coast Sevens International meet later this year. 
NGCB’s Felix Diapong handed over K10,000 to Port Moresby- based team official Michael Bai last week in a low key presentation ceremony.
The money, an initial part of the team’s fundraising will go towards travel expenses to and from the tournament.  
Rebels have accomplished all their goals on the local, provincial and national level and have now turned their attention to seriously winning a tournament overseas.
Having played together for the last five years and winning almost every sevens tournament in the country, the team management now have a very strong belief of the team’s chances on the international stage.
Of the current top 12 players in the squad, eight have already played internationally with the PNG Pukpuks, with experience sure to be a non-issue for the team. 
Kimbe Rugby president Freddie Matthies said from Kimbe that the squad would undergo a training programme, working on the areas of fitness, strength and mental toughness, which had been lacking with most teams that had left PNG shores in the past. 
“The main focus will be on the final seven minutes of the game, which always determines the fitter team and in most cases won by the fitter team,” Matthies said.
Tournaments planned for as lead up preparations will be the Rabaul sevens, Kimbe sevens and the National sevens in Port Moresby, before the Gold Coast trip. 
 “I would like to thank the National Gaming Control Board for their contribution to the event as an in kind sponsor.  Your contribution will go along way to making this team a success,” Matthies said.