Suaras get new coach

By MICHAEL PHILIP
LAST year’s Sports Tok 7s champions Bialla Suaras are aiming to defend their title this year under the guidance of rookie coach Junias Sabatha.
The Suaras made their debut in the tournament last year without a coach, clinching the sixth edition of the Sports Tok 7s in Port Moresby.
Newly-appointed head coach Junias Sabatha told The National that his men had been preparing since February despite the bad weather conditions in the province.
“Training has been good so far,” Sabatha said.
“I usually send training programmes to the boys in the village and so far I am happy and confident with their preparations.
“Our focus for this year is not to go in as the current champion’s holders of the cup, but go in as beginners.
“Past success can make the boys overconfident in little basic things and I don’t want that to happen.
“It’s better to come in as underdogs and try to do everything basic, simple and concentrate on trying to make little things right.”
Despite the absence of former players who were with them last year to claim the cup, Sabatha believes the new young guns can do the job following their commitment, time management and dedication towards training preparation.
“I believe I have the team to retain the cup,” Sabatha said of their chances in the upcoming tournament.
“Pressure and attention will be on us coming in as champs but like I said, we don’t want to come in looking overconfident.
“We have PC Ravens who were the back-to-back champs and teams like them are our biggest rivals to look forward to.
“It’s always good to rub shoulders with the best in the country.
“This will be my first tournament as a coach and I am pretty psyched up to see how the team will do in this year’s tournament.”
Squad: Sam Voku, Cedrick Toboka, David Dome, Malcolm Samua, Richard Mautu, Jason Gua, Peterson Value, Demas Toboka, Austin Mohe, Neil Bala, Ronnie Mokoi, Shane Tololo, Jack Voku, Walter Bernard, Mathias Bueli, Kevin Vitolo Jnr. Head Coach: Junias Sabatha. Trainer: Charlie Tioni