PM gives K50,000 for tourney

By JINA AMBA
PRIME Minister James Marape launched the 2021 Jiwaka Governor’s Cup season last week as the Tari-Pori MP encouraged youths to focus on sports and refrain from drugs and alcohol.
Through the National Gaming Control Board, he gave K50,000 to the organisers of the Cup.
Cup administrator and Waghi Tumbe coach Joe McConnor said 24 teams were confirmed for the competition.
He said the teams were from Jiwaka but they had also invited sides from Chimbu and Western Highlands to take part in the competition.
McConnor said the competition was an initiative for the Jiwaka government, under the leadership of Dr William Tongamp since 2013.
He said they would select players from the competition to join the Waghi Tumbe squad for the upcoming Digicel Cup season.
McConnor said they had produced some top-quality players who had joined the SP Hunters.
He said a lot of youths were showing interest in the competition.
McConnor said each year, they spent K200,000 to run the competition.
“Any team from the Jiwaka Rugby league competition are going to be very tough to beat,” he said.
“Hopefully, we will continue in similar fashion this season.
“This is a breeding ground for rugby league talents, many Digicel Cup teams come here to select players and take them out of the province.
“But we still have more players.
“Whatever is left, we put into the Waghi Tumbe squad.”