South B’ville MP plans to make soccer tourney bigger, better

Sports

MEMBER for South Bougainville and Minister for Information, Communication and Technology, Timothy Masiu has pledged to make the South Bougainville Member’s Cup soccer tournament bigger and better.
Masiu said he was satisfied with the overwhelming success of the Member’s Cup tournament staged in Siwai last week.
He said the first prize money would be increased to K15,000 or K20,000 next year.
This year’s first prize money was K10,000 in the men’s division and K7,000 for the women.
A total of K33,000 was paid in cash prizes for first, second, third and fourth place getters in both divisions.
Siwai Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) successfully defended the Member’s Cup with a 5-4 win over Akoa’s Piano in a penalty shootout after the game was tied 0-0 in regular time.
Masiu said he was pleased to see youths playing with good sportsmanship on display.
The minister said the increased prize money would mean the involvement of national soccer officials to run workshops for coaches, referees and team managers.
He said the tournament was one of the activities held to keep youths away from anti-social activities.
Masiu thanked sponsors National Gaming Control Board (NGCB), Datacom, Digitec and Pacific Industries, as well as South Bougainville businesses in Lynchar and Jomik while ABG Members from the four districts also supported their respective local teams.