Travel costs worry Madang club after ruling on home turf

THE Tusbab Stallions are concerned about the costs of travel after Laiwaden Oval was ruled out for the restart of the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League this month.
Club patron Conrad Wadunah told The National that the decision not to have matches in Madang and Goroka would be an expensive exercise for the Stallions and Kutubu.
“It will be expensive for us to travel to Port Moresby or Lae every weekend,” he said.
“The fact that our games will be played in Lae and Port Moresby will also affect our preparations with only three days of training between matches.
“Many of our players are asking why we’re going to play in Port Moresby and Lae where there are cases of the Covid-19 – Madang and Goroka have none.
“We have a young team and our coaching staff are always working with them on mental toughness.”
Wadunah said the Stallions, who are fourth on the ladder after 10 rounds, had new players who would need to adapt to the culture of the club.
“Our players are also without a leader following the departure of captain Nigel Malagian to defending champions Lae City,” he said.
“But we’re hoping the signing of former Kutubu skipper Samuel Kini will provide ample support and encouragement for the rest of the squad.
“Our players are preparing for the restart but we’re yet to pick up pace.
“The challenge now is to maintain our top-four spot despite the departure of Malagian and Stahl Gubag to City.”