Violence-free games attract spectators

 By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU

EASTERN Papua Carnival president Bede Tomikita said during the weekend that one of the approaches that his management took on board this season was to make the competition violence-free so that Milne Bay families in NCD could go along to watch games at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

“By setting standards, the games can only go a step higher,” Tomikita said. 

He said apart from that, they reduced the  number of teams from 60 to 46 to increase the level of competition among the teams competing.

He said there was a good administrative structure in place to ensure the games were run smoothly. “Unlike the past, the games are now violence-free and because of this, many mothers and children have been coming to watch the games over the past weekends,” he said.

He said if teams or players were found to be involved in an incident during the games, they were referred to the disciplinary committee and dealt with straight away.

“If there is a serious matter, then the team involved is banned from taking part in any future games,” he said. 

He said the competition had attracted players from the province, who were brought in by some of the clubs. 

Tomokita said the men had 34 teams in four pools, while the women had 12 teams in two pools. He said new teams who had joined the competition were Avis Kerri, Coral Springs, Scribble On and Kinita.

Reigning men’s champions Manton Maiyela and the women’s title-holders Gabutu were set on defending their titles.

Tomokita said the knockouts for the top four will be taking place this weekend. 

“After the grand final, we will have a week’s break and then come back for the presentation,” he said.