Vipers sign Amean

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Port Moresby Vipers have signed Papua New Guinea Kumuls winger Stargroth Amean and five SP Hunters players to bolster their campaign in the new Digicel Cup season which kicks off next month.
Franchise chairman Dr Newton Albert confirmed the availability of Enoch Maki, Shane Haro, Kevin Appo, Patrick Morea, Brandon Gotuno and Amean for the National Capital District Commission-sponsored side.
He said the six players had come through the Vipers system and that they would always be part of the city franchise.
“We will have a binding contract with these Hunters players,” Albert said.
“When they don’t make the Hunters team on weekends, they can come play for the Vipers.
“We’ve got Stargroth Amean who is also the NCDC Games ambassador.
“These players came through Vipers programme before they made it to the Hunters and Kumuls so they’re a great addition to the side.”
Amean is seeking a release from the final season of his two-year deal English second-tier club Barrow Raiders due to family commitments.
It is understood the Kumul will run out for the Vipers in in the upcoming season to maintain his fitness while awaiting his release.
Maki, who was part of the Waghi Tumbe squad last year, will now join the club he won the Digicel Cup title with in 2013.
Apo, Haro, Gotuno and Morea were part of the Vipers in previous seasons and their inclusion in the Digicel Cup side is expected to add another dimension to their attack
Albert said the six players would sign their contracts in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Vipers’ 35-man squad will go through five weeks of intensive training and trials before being trimmed down to the final 25 players.