Sevens tourney attracts 24 teams

A TOTAL of 24 teams have been confirmed for the Sports Tok Sevens rugby union tournament which will be held at Bava Park in Port Moresby from April 3-4.
Eleven of the teams are from Port Moresby while the other 13 sides are from outside centres – Lae (4), Daru (4), Kimbe (2), Madang (2) and Rabaul (1).
Organiser Elsie Passingan said there would be a live draw at Bava Park in the next couple of weeks where teams would be placed into pools.
“For those who missed out, please prepare for next year and get registered on time – we might open the registration for next year right after this year’s finals,” she said.
“Next year will be the fifth year of the Sports Tok Sevens and we want to make it special.
“Congratulations to all the teams that have registered for this year’s tournament.”
The teams are Unitech Reds, Chauka Crocs, Laloki Wild Cats, MBB Marlins, Amaroa, Karzens, Juggernauts, Fly Otoros, Sea Robbers, 6B Pirates, Harlequins (Lae), Rabaul Stallions,15 City Pirates, Vikings, GG Daru, Madang Malabacks, Gerehu Natives, Patuki Warriors, Kingsman, Uni Piggies, PC Ravens, Mantas, CC Jesters and Kramer Auscenco Brothers.
“We have guidelines and tournament regulations which teams will follow and from experience, it has worked well,” Passingan said.
“This year’s tournament is a bit special because it might provide an opportunity for teams to showcase their talents for possible scouting by the national selectors for the upcoming Oceania Sevens.”
Passingan said the prizes for the tournament would remain the same – the Cup winners will walk away with K10,000 and a new set of jerseys from Tati Sports.
“We may increase the prize money if we get more support from sponsors,” she said.
“But we don’t want to see that money is what the teams want to play for.
“We want to provide an opportunity for talent identification and do our part to help develop rugby union in the country.”