Sepik rugby league nines tournament attracts 20 teams

TWENTY teams are set to compete in the Sepik Agmark Nines rugby league tournament which will kick off in Wewak tomorrow, according to Sepik Pride project manager Bradley Simon.
As of yesterday afternoon, 14 teams arrived in Wewak, including six East Sepik sides.
“There will be five teams in each pool,” he said.
Simon said the Pora Oval, which has undergone a facelift, would be opened today.
“At the end of the tournament, the Pride will also present their Digicel Cup bid,” he said.
Simon said Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League acting chief executive Stanley Hondina and PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) chairman Adrian Chow would attend the tournament.
“To have Hondina and Chow attend the tournament is massive for us,” he said.
“There have been a number of tournaments in Sepik over the years but this one is different.
“This is probably the biggest.
“To hosts Hondina, Chow and teams from all over the country is great for the game here.
“It will be great exposure for our talents and us as the host.
“For a province that is not known for rugby league, this is a positive step which will contribute to the sport’s development.”
Simon said Hondina and Chow would also inspect the oval and its facilities.
“I believe our facilities meet the PNGNRLC requirements to host Digicel Cup matches,” he said.
Meanwhile, Simon said PNG Kumuls playmaker Watson Boas visited Wewak last month and gave inspirational speeches to the youths there.
“It was great to receive advice from a representative player who has a lot of experience on the world stage,” he said.
“A lot of youths think that rugby league is an activity in which you take part just to pass time before returning to your bad habits.
“But with Watson telling his story, it changed their whole perceptive on rugby league and life in general.”
Pool A — QRP Colts, Acatech Storm, (National Capital District), 15 City Roosters (West New Britain), Wewak Ularembe (East Sepik), Oro Freedom Fighters (Northern); Pool B — Morobe Pride, 13A Prima Bulldogs (Morobe), Funeral Home Laumas (NCD), Maprik Schoolboys, Mijoe Wewak One (East Sepik); Pool C — Wewak Steamers, Pagepark Cowboys (East New Britain), Kamus Panthers (NCD), Mijoe Wewak Two, Sandaun Kwilas (West Sepik); Pool D — STK Bullets (WNB), Kroton Ira Lai (Hela), Yawasoro W16, Kwarumbe Api, Sepik Tenkiles (East Sepik).