Sepik rugby 7s tourney set

By ROBINSON LEKA
REGISTRATION is now open for the Greater Sepik Rugby Sevens tournament which is scheduled to take place in Wewak from Dec 4-5.
East Sepik provincial union president Emmanuel ToMarum told The National last week that the tournament would have only 16 men’s teams while the women’s division would have a minimum of four sides.
“We received approval from Papua New Guinea Rugby Union last week,” he said.
“So we’re now taking bids from interested teams to come and compete.
“There will also be a women’s division.
“We would like to see more than four women’s team take part.
“The tournament will run one week after the Agmark Nines (rugby league tournament) hosted by the Sepik Pride, so we’re hoping we can have those visiting teams also compete in the sevens tourney.
“I’ve been talking with the Pride’s Bradley Simon and we think that having back-to-back tournaments at the end of the year will keep our local teams fit as we’re ready to resume our sevens competition in Wewak.”
ToMarum said strict Coronavirus (Covid-19) protocols would apply throughout the tournament with teams to use this month to prepare.
“One issue that we’ve been discussing with the Agmark Nines organisers is how we enforce strict Covid-19 protocols during the two tournaments,” the union president said.
“Given the situation in the country, we will only have 16 teams compete in the men’s division.
“It has been quite some time now without sports, so we’re giving teams this month to prepare and get fit before we move ahead with the tournament.”