QPR break comp rules, lose finals spot

By MELTON PAIS
A BREACH of the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup by-laws has cost a team in the National Capital District leg of the tournament its victory in the elimination final last week and a spot in the quarter finals.
The Ipatas Cup NCD leg judiciary committee stripped the win from QPR Wanderers of Erima and awarded it to M2 Mumuts.
Ipatas Cup Southern Region director Simon Maima said QPR Wanderers had fielded an unregistered player during the elimination final against M2 Mumuts last Sunday.
“Because Wanderers have breached the by-laws of the CCIC tournament, we have decided to grant the win to the Mumuts,” Maima said.
“Though the Wanderers defeated the Mumuts 2-1 last Sunday, it was a clear error by the Wanderers which gave us no choice but to disregard the win.”
Mumuts will take on the Empardor Giants in tomorrow’s quarter final at the Kone Tigers Oval.
“Apart from the Mumuts and Wanderers query, other issues like GH Neutels’ complaint against Paga Panthers for the forfeit and Okuk Watchdogs query over the Northbuild Hammers were all dismissed,” Maima said.
“We will have our quarter finals tomorrow and award the gold pass to the winning team.
“Since a team from the National Capital District — Paga Panthers — is the defending champion of the CCIC tournament, I will enquire with CCIC chief executive officer Timothy Lepa if he could provide two gold passes for the two teams who advance to the grand final.”
The entire Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup competition, one of the largets off-season competition in Papua New Guinea, will host its finals and grand finals next month.