Premiers award players for efforts in tough season, club takes a break

KUMUL Petroleum National Soccer League champions Lae City have named defender Philip Steven and forward Obert Bika as their player and striker of the year respectively.
Ecuadorian Abdias Aguirre was handed the inspirational player gong at the club’s awards ceremony in the Morobe capital on Saturday.
Jacob Sabua, Alwin Komolong and Ronald Warisan were named the midfielder, defender and goalkeeper of the year while Thomas Yagum was recognised as the most improved player.
Emmanuel Simon, who took over the captaincy from Papua New Guinea international Raymond Gunemba mid-season, was handed the leadership award.
The premiers will now go on a break before they re-assemble to prepare for their title defence and Oceania Football Confederation Champions League campaign.
Franchise owner Ian Chow, City’s coaching staff, team manager Edrish Kumbruwah, club co-sponsors and the players’ family members attended the ceremony.
Officials from the PNG Football Association, Lae City Authority, PNG Sports Foundation, Excel Sports and church representatives were also in attendance.
Chow admitted that this season had been the toughest following the sacking of foundation coach Peter Gunemba and the mass walk-out by senior players.
He said their grand final against Vitiaz United was one of the best in the history of the competition, with minor premiers City winning 1-0 to claim their sixth title.
“You have bonded together, maintained consistency and reaped the rewards,” Chow told his players.