Piggies off to Kavieng

 PAPUA New Guinea’s oldest rugby union club, the Kemele University Piggies are one of the 28 challengers in the Micah Sports Limited Malagan Barbarians Invitational Sevens tournament set for October 11-13.

The Piggies have been praying for sponsors to support their predominantly unemployed youths to play at the prestigious tournament.

Their prayers were by former Pukpuk and Piggies player Gabriel Tika, through his company GI Comms Limited.

Tika came to the rescue by buying the airline tickets for the team to travel to New Ireland this week.

He said as a proud Piggies player who excelled in the sky-blue jumper he did not think twice of his company supporting the club that helped him develop as a player and where he made many friends.

“This is my way of saying thank you,” Tika said.

The tournament, the brainchild of Kavieng MP Ben Micah, will be staged at the Lugagun Beach Oval, on the Buluminsky Highway. 

Tika only asked the players to be good ambassadors of the club as they were part of a club representing the nation’s capital, their families, and most of all God.

He said he hoped young players grew with the trip and opened their eyes to the people in rural areas and he hope they could become instruments of change in their respective communities when they returned to the city.

“While it’s a big chance for you prove yourself, go there and enjoy yourself and if you don’t win then we can always grow with the experience,” the former Pukpuk number 8 said. Club coach John Pangkatana thanked Tika for his support. 

The other Port Moresby club heading to Kavieng is Defence, under Coach Sydney Wesley.

Other teams from outside centres include former national champions Kimbe Rebels (West New Britain), Black Orchids (AROB), Pirates, Harlequins, Igam Sappers (Lae), Madgauns (Madang), Hoodsco Harlequins, Tokua Redskins, Maltech Rookies and Kokopo Vikings (East New Britain).