Unggai league select side joins Ipatas Cup

A SELECT side from the Unggai Offseason Rugby League competition joined the Ipatas Cup Eastern Highlands challenge to provide an opportunity for local talent, team sponsor Jonathan Manieva says.
“We are determined to tap into hidden talents of young rising rugby league players from our area in ward three area of Lower Bena local level government (LLG) in Unggai-Bena district,” he said.
Manieva said selectors identified players during the Ungai offseason rugby league competition and the select side called Siwiri participated in the Ipatas Cup competition on the weekend.
Manieva, who is the executive officer of Fishing Industry Association (FIA), said the selected players were from Kamaliki, Roza, Ketaroba, Masumave, Siokafu and Lapilo villages.
He said their competition had produced players such as Nicko Slain (Lahanis/Kumuls), Jeffery Robert (PNG Hunters/Lae Tigers) and Norman Brown (PNG Hunters/Hela Wigmen).
Manieva thanked RD Tuna Canners for supporting the Siwiri select side with t-Shirts, caps and other merchandise items.
Lower Bena LLG ward three community leader Mal Sogavo thanked RD Tuna for supporting the team because the people of his area including the rest of Eastern Highlands and the Highlands region were major consumers of RD Tuna products.