Top domestic league set for another big season

THE Digicel Cup season is expected to scale new heights in this year with major sponsor Digicel PNG through chief executive Valde Ferradaz, pictured, saying they are excited about what the next six months hold in store.
“There will be more players, more teams, more big hits when the Digicel Cup kicks off this weekend,” Ferradaz said.
It is the top tier semi-professional competition run by the PNG National Rugby League Competition and has been a positive part of building the country, both connecting and dividing communities when their teams clash, all vying for glory to win the coveted Digicel Cup.
This season will see the competition expand by two teams with the inclusion of the Gulf Isou and Chimbu Warriors, taking the total number of teams to 10 — one more than last year.
The new-season lineup has perennial contenders and reigning champions the Lae Snax Tigers back to defend their title while top sides the Agmark Gurias and Hela Wigmen have the quality to be up in the reckoning come finals time.
Ferradaz said: “We are proud to be heading into our eighth consecutive year as the major sponsor of this great game.
“We have worked hard to be part of building rugby league in PNG.
“We have contributed to the breeding ground of rugby league talent that is now seeing players progress into the grand final winning SP PNG Hunters.
“Our investment in rugby league is all about our connection to the people of PNG.
“Our major partnership with rugby league in PNG to build the Digicel Cup has been simply amazing and is delivering outcomes that is seeing our PNG players now heading internationally to play this great game.
“I have no doubt there will be more tough games, more amazing last minute game-winning tries and overall a fan experience that will have everyone entertained.
“We have 20 weeks of non-stop Rugby League which can all be watched on TVWAN Plus, or followed online via our fast online network.”
Rd 1 Fixtures: Sun, April 8 – BintangorGoroka Lahanis v EPG Enga Mioks (Goroka), NCDC Port Moresby Vipers v Giru Waghi Tumbe, PRK Gulf Isous v Snax Lae Tigers (POM), Agmark Gurias v Chimbu Warriors (Kokopo), PRK Mendi Muruks v Kroton Hela Wigmen (Mendi).