Oval undergoing upgrade

THE Dickson Oval in Kundiawa, Chimbu, is undergoing a major upgrade in preparation for the 2021 Digicel Cup season.
The Simbu Warriors, who are hoping to return to the country’s top rugby league competition, have submitted their bid and plan to host home games at the improved Dickson rugby league field in the coming 2021 Digicel Cup games.
The franchise’s major sponsor is Waghi Food Processors (WFP).
Field maintenance supervisor Lucas Kee said he was confident the field would be ready in time before the Digicel Cup games kicked off in the second quarter of 2021.
He said the field had been dug up and drained of excess water and levelled in order to provide a quality playing surface.
“Maintenance work on the field is going well,” he said.
“We are creating extra car parking space and exits as well as a grandstand and another stand and piping in water for players and officials in the dressing rooms.
“We will have shower and toilet facilities in the dressing rooms and toilet facilities for fans.”
He said the aim was to have a venue that met all minimum standards required by the PNG National Rugby League Competition.
Meanwhile, delays in the registration for teams from six districts in Chimbu to participate in the coming WFP Simbu Warriors Nines Championship has forced the championship to be delayed by a week.
The Warriors board invited the districts to field two teams each for the tournament to select a train-on squad and a development squad for the franchise for the 2021 Digicel Cup competition.
Board chairman Michael Robert said each team paid K2,000 in registration fee to participate and required their own sponsors from their districts.
He said selections for the Warriors squad would be done by independent selectors in order to avoid bias and favouritism.
He appealed to all stakeholders including sponsors, supporters and players to help make the Warriors re-entry into the Digicel Cup a success by playing their part well.
He said the overall aim was to promoted rugby league in the province and expose its talent.
Robert said the best players from the nines tournament would selected into two teams (A and B).
Team A would be made up the Warriors train-on squad while the team B would be the franchise’s development squad ­— both teams will then go into camp in the new year.
The Warriors management acknowledged the support of the province’s businesses, politicians and provincial government. He said six district Coordinators to liaise with teams were: Gumine — John Kumo (74 668 978), Chuave — James Emere (73 630 460), Sinasina-Yongumugl — Eric Sinebare (70 690 338), Kundiawa-Gembogl — William Genen/Paul Mugua (70 852 078/71 554 356), Salt Nomane Karamui — Tony Bire (no contact available) and Kerowagi — Anton Walai (71 574 256).