Provincial police boss hosts soccer tournament

By ROSELYN ELLISON
EAST New Britain (ENB) police commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali has initiated an annual festive soccer tournament for all four police barracks in the province.
He said the aim of the ENB Police Commander’s Cup was to bring youths together and keep them away from illegal activities.
“This is also a proactive approach by me as the ENB police commander for communities to work together in addressing law and order issues,” Chief Insp Tabali said.
“This is first of its kind and I am happy to see all the police officers and their families come together on New Year’s Eve.”
He said the tournament started on Boxing Day and ended on a high note with the final between Kokopo Police Barracks and Baliora Kumuls on Saturday afternoon.
A total of 17 teams took part in the Commander’s Cup at the Baliora Police Barracks in Kokopo.
Chief Insp Tabali said they were aiming to secure better prizes in the future.
He thanked Gazelle MP Jelta Wong for purchasing the trophies, and KK Connection and Pacific Development for donating K1,000 each. Chief Insp Tabali also acknowledged PNG Hunters veteran Ase Boas, who is the son of a police officer at the Baliora Police Barracks, for donating a soccer ball.
“I want to thank all those people who have supported the tournament,” he said.
Meanwhile, Baliora claimed K400 and the Cup after they beat Kokopo who settled for the runners-up trophy and K300.