Port Moresby team get mercy pass

PORT Moresby’s Border Storm have received a “mercy pass” for the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup (CCIC) eastern end finals which will be held at the Lae Rugby League Ground next week.
Competition manager Sam Koi said yesterday that the Storm had been competing in the country’s biggest offseason competition for more than a decade.
He said the CCIC board had to make room for the side despite the Port Moresby and Central legs of the competition not being played this year due to Covid-19 and other factors.
“Mercy passes are not new, we have been issuing them for the last 12 years,” Koi said.
“To be eligible, teams have to travel out of their home province at their own expense and compete in other centres, and the Storm have met the criteria.
“We can’t give mercy passes to teams that come from centres that are hosting the legs.
“Besides, the Storm are organised and consistent. We are proud of them.”
Team manager Tony Wani thanked CCIC for giving the Storm an opportunity to play in the eastern end finals.
“We have played in the competition for a long time and I believe they have rewarded us with the mercy pass,” he said.
Wani also thanked Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko for sponsoring the side.