Warriors get boost to 2011 bemobile Cup campaign

SOUTHERN Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru has pledged K100,000 for the Kongo Coffee Chimbu Warriors for the bemobile Cup rugby league challenge next year.
The support will boost the Warriors’ preparations and campaign for the semi-professional competition next year.
Kongo Coffee PNG Ltd managing director Jerry Kapka, who is also the Warriors chairman, said yesterday that the Nationwide Builders Ltd also chipped in K30,000 sponsorship.
The re-entry of Warriors into the 2010 bemobile Cup competition came from hard work, commitment, dedication and sacrifices that were made by certain people, including Kapka and EMR Ltd director Wera Mori.
Through their efforts, the provincial government and corporate entities have stepped in to support the franchise club.
The commitment to the club also drew support from the Southern Highlands, with Agiru chipping in K100,000 to support the Warriors’ campaign next year.
Enga Governor Peter Ipatas has also contributed K10,000 a sign of Warriors on a comeback trail.
Kapka told The National yesterday that he was happy with the support given to the Warriors from the highlands region despite tough economic times.
“Simbus depend on its human resource. We do not have any natural resources like Enga and Southern Highlands and I thank the two provincial governments for supporting us.
“It is a true sign of friendship and I thank them on behalf of my board members and the province as whole,” Kapka said.
He said he was preparing his boys early for the next season and the support by Agiru and Nationwide Builders would help prepare and affiliate the Warriors to compete next season.
Meanwhile, the Warriors start their training camp in January.
Kapka said spaces were still available for those intending to join the club.
However, the board will be selecting players from the Simbu Governor’s Cup challenge and the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup tournament.
The players will be selected on merit, and, therefore, all players, including the current players  should participate in these tournaments.
“I am pretty sure Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia’s Cup will start next month and we are looking forward to recruiting players in that competition. If it does not work out, we will still get players from the Ipatas Cup,” Kapka said.
“We will also be looking at players who are interested in playing for  the Warriors but must be competitive and meet the standard of the professionalism. We will also be recruiting locally,” Kapka said.