Wabag school soccer gets Gaming Board boost

WABAG district school soccer competition has been given a huge boost this year with a sponsorship of K70,000 by the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB).
According to the organising committee chairman and tournament coordinator Mark Sakol, the sponsorship was made possible after Wabag MP and Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal had initiated and ran the tournament for the lastfive years.
Sakol reaffirmed yesterday from Wabag that almost all primary schools, from the western end of Sirunki to eastern end of Aiyel valley in Wabag electorate had shown their interest.
He said: “This year we were very lucky to secure K70,000 from the National Gaming Control Board after Wabag MP Sam Abal had initiated the tournament in 2005. It’s a great pleasure for us to be recognised.”
Sakol said the prize money would be allocated to the winners in four zones.
He said prizes including cash, trophies and other items.
“There will be also some consolation prizes for participating schools and outstanding individuals through out the tournament,” Sakol, who is the headmaster of Wabag primary, said.
The tournament started last Thursday during the Independence Day celebrations and will continue with the finals to be played this weekend.
In U16 girls and boys, Wabag Primary School has booked the grand final spots meeting  Sari (girls) and winner of two remote schools of Kerepusmanda and Mulisos (boys).
In U14 boys, Sirunki, Kerepusmanda, Irelya and Yarulam primary schools will battle out while Birip, Sari, Kurai Memorial, Sirunki, Kerepusmanda, Irelya and Yarulam play in the girls division.
Sari, Kerepusmanda and Mulisos were the only schools qualified to play finals in the U12 boys and girls divisions.
Sakol said the normal games have been played peacefully in the true spirit of sports and he expected the finals would be in similar fashion.