Sia pays K12,000 for Lahanis

By ZACHERY PER and JOHN SUPA
BINTANGOR Goroka Lahanis franchise owner Simon Sia has committed K120,000 to ensure they participate in the 2012 Digicel Cup challenge this season.
In a brief ceremony at the Bintangor supermarket in Goroka last Friday, Lahanis team manager Joe Isaro received the cheque for K120,000 on behalf of the management, players, supporters and the people of Eastern Highlands.
Isaro said at the presentation “Simon Sia has done it again” to ensure the reigning champions take the rugby league field in its traditional red and white colours.
Lahanis won the bemobile Cup in 2010 which is now sitting on the shelf in Bintangor Supermarket in Goroka.
They made it twice in a row winning the inaugural Digicel Cup last year defeating NGIP Agmark Rabaul Gurias 22-12 in Port Moresby.
“On behalf of the players, spectators and fans throughout PNG and the people of Eastern Highlands, I wish to thank Sia and Bintangor Trading for coming on board again this year to sponsor Lahanis for another season,” Isaro said.
It is believed the K120,000 was deposited into the PNG National Rugby League account last Friday but general manager Hubert Warupi could not be contacted to confirm this.
Three weeks ago, Sia told more than 10,000 supporters at the National Sports Institute in  Goroka that the Lahanis would be aiming to retain the title.
He said nothing was impossible if the Lahanis management and the players applied a positive attitude towards their game this year.
A minor sponsor Mori Resources Ltd also  contributed K10,000 as part of their continued support to the Lahanis.
The Lahanis are expecting more sponsors to back them in their campaign this season.