Southern ready for IC

THE Ipatas Cup kicks off this weekend for the Northern regional challenge while in Southern region, a final meeting yesterday has also confirmed four pools of three teams each.
For the Northern, a total of 16 teams are confirmed and will split into two separate competitions in Lae and Madang.
Each winner will take away K10,000 and a separate gold pass for the grand final with K200,000 on offer.
For Southern region, tournament director Mairi Gwabo called a formal meeting for the 12 teams yesterday to work out pool placings.
In pool A will be Port Moresby Butterflies, Morata Swans and Kerema West. Pool B will have Hiri Gaigais, Tia Broncos and Pom Diwai.
Pool C has Paga Panthers, Rigo Raiders and Aroma Coast and pool D has Laigap Brothers, Gordons Kokofas and Hisui Knights.
All teams will play two games each with the top team in each pool playing off in the major semi-final.
The winner advances to the major K10,000 prize money with the gold ticket.
Gwabo thanked representatives from each team saying without them, he would not have finalised the draws for the Southern region.
Ipatas Cup chief executive officer Timothy Lepa was impressed with the organisation and is pleased that the coordinators have come up with the final draw.
The Southern regional challenge is on Feb 17-19 in Port Moresby.