Southern League’s 9s competition attracts 68 teams

THE Southern Region League 9s tournament, planned for Dec 10-14, has attracted 68 teams that will battle for cash prizes at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Owner of Sportz Events and organiser Ivan Ravu said the 68 teams were divided into 17 pools of four teams each. Pool matches will run from Sunday to Tuesday.
Ravu said the knockouts and quarter finals would be held on Wednesday and Thursday while the semifinals and grand final would be on Friday.
“The 68 teams are all from National Capital District, Central, Gulf and Western while Northern and Milne Bay will not compete” Ravu said.
Ravu called on all teams to adhere to the competition rules, especially on eligibility.
He said players should be only from the Papuan region and those of mixed parentage were required to provide evidence of that with birth certificates.
He also confirmed that 2016 champions Taurama Gaveraia would not defend the crown.