Simbu fights on

THE little township of Kundiawa in Simbu province will light up this weekend when it hosts the international kickboxing showdown, the Mt Whilhem Track 1 Cup, as PNG’s top 10 kickboxers take on an international field.
Six Australian kickboxers flew into Kundiawa yesterday to prepare and get used to the conditions up in the Highlands.
The Australian contigent, headed by veteran campaigner Shannon Forester (super lightweight, 63.5kg) claimed that his boys, lightweight Athemon Inderere (61kg), welterweight Ricky Mallor (67kg),  middleweight Jarrod Mallor (72kg),  and welterweight Michael Hansel (67kg) are all prepared for the battle.
Four international kickboxers representing the United Kingdom and New Zealand are scheduled to arrive in the country today before they head  to Kundiawa for the promotional bout which will kick off on Saturday with the finals on Sunday.
The international kickboxing showdown will be staged at Dickson Oval and will see PNG’s very own Alfred ‘White Shark’ Samuel, Francis MacDonald, John ‘The Rock’ Kwiwa, David ‘The Wigman’ Lawe, Jeffry ‘The Iron’ Daka, Laurie ‘The Destroyer’ Hanku, Andy ‘Black Panther’ Sam, Gabie ‘The Steel’ Leana and Bonny ‘The Terminator’ Louise take on the visting overseas fighters.
According to KBI promoter in PNG, Stanley Nandex, more than 15,000 spectators are expected to flood Dickson Oval to see their local heroes in the ring against foreign opposition.
Nandex also commended Kundiawa MP Joe Mek Teine for the support he gave to host such an international event in Kundiawa, and to promote the code in the remote parts of the country.
Nandex said the sport also had the potential to influence youths in Simbu positively.