The Kroton Hela Wigmen Rugby League Club has announced a 34 men team for its 2022 season.

In a statement released today, Club Chairman, Andy Hetra said the team was selected from trial matches and training over the past few months. Hetra said the club has retained more than half the club’s current key players with most players originating from Hela.

The 34-men comprise of 2019, 2020 and 2021 squad members while the rest of the stock were selected from the Ipatas Hela Leg tournament, SHP 9’s Port Moresby Rugby League and other off-season competitions.

The Wigmen Chairman said the Club is a promoter of inclusivity an accepts players from all over PNG, irrespective of their origin.

“We are a club that encourages inclusiveness and promotes raw talents to reach their full potential”, said Hetra.

He said Hela Wigmen is a diverse club and recruits players and coaching staff from all regions in Papua New Guinea.

“We look for players who are serious in excelling their rugby careers and we want to harness that with the system we have”, said Hetra.

The Club Chairman said the team is also proud to announce two of its consistent and loyal players who have played leadership roles in the likes of Valentine Culligan and Solomon Pokare who have the support of both old and new players.

The Wigmen lineup include Sylvester Bulu, Norman Brown, Junior Igila, Valentine Wamdi, Anderson Benford, Tony Wemin, Solomon Poakre(Co-Captain), Valentine Culligan (C), Patrick Morea, Jeffrey Robert, Atua Nogoya, Missach Welen, Kopu Piju, Manu Kame, Jorden Steven, Peter Homoko, Tapia Solu, Allen Simbiri, Igiboi Lawrence, Siki Konden, Sylder Bulu, Gordon Isaac, Iso Kita, Lape Peape, Stanford Pandine, Ronny Nakira, Justin Meketa, Gori Akuni, Bernad Lai, Rodwell John, Pembo Pokeya, Steven Pat, Junior Mel and Nanduka Rame.

A total of 10 rookies are featured in the Wigmen team for the 2022 Digicel Cup Competition.

After three days of rugby league action at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby last week, selectors have named Teams for the coming Telikom National 9’s Championship this weekend.

Three divisions have been named by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League selectors. These include Under 20’s, Senior Women and Men’s for the Southern Region side.

The Senior Men’s team includes:

1. Siune Tine (PRL)

2. Thomas Kaikai (Central)

3. Gairo Voro (POM South 1)

4. Junior Hoki (POM South 1)

5. Benny Yol (POM South 1)

6. Michael Yanis (POM South 1)

7. Andy Tand (POM South 1)

8. Yomo Yokofa (Central)

9. Alwyn Kevaru (Central)

10. Johnson Peter (PRL)

11. Ken Lele (POM South 1)

12. Wabi Sanny (POM South 2)

13. Sebastine Gaudi (Motu Koitabu)

14. Augustine Benson (UPNG)

15. Felix Dickson (Western)

16. Yeki Yoko (UPNG)

17. Mawe John (PRL)

18. Larry Saia (POM South 1).

The Southern Team Head Coach is Bagelo Solien, Team Manager Brian Voele and Trainer Norris Selu.

According to PNGRFL sources, squad training has commenced in preparation for the National Championships come 9th and 10th of April at the National Football Stadium.

The senior men’s selection follows the trial games played among eight (8) teams filled by affiliated PNGRFL teams based in Port Moresby with only one team from Western Province.

The senior men’s division went head-to-head in two pools with Central coming out winners beating POM South 1, 20 points to 10.

Teams that took part include POM South 1, POM South 2, UPNG, Central, Motu Koitabu, PRL, Western and Suburban.

Lae Pedal Power, a group of 12 young cyclists from Lae city, cycled from Wabag into Maramuni on the 57km unsealed road recently launched by Prime Minister James Marape.

The group travelled to Wabag from Lae with their bicycles on a PMV and then cycled to Maramuni last Friday.

They received a standing ovation from the people of Maramuni for their courage and determination as they pedaled in, waving the flags of Papua New Guinea and Morobe.

Lae Pedal Power is a motley crew of young men from all over Lae city who advocate for peace and unity by cycling around the country.

Pedal Power President, Gabe Bago, from Morobe Patrol Post in the Huon Gulf district, said the cycling group was formed to turn young people away from a life of crime.

“It took us the whole day for the 12 of us Lae boys to cycle from Wabag to Maramuni,” Bago said.

“It was really great to stop at villages along the way to Maramuni and talk with the people, Gabe said.

He added, “We are here to test the new road and promote the message of unity, ‘Wan Kantri’.”

They had intended to travel all the way to East Sepik on the new Enga-Sepik highway but because the road ends at Maramuni, the group will stay on and decide on what to do next.

The newly opened Jimmy Uguro sports precinct at Walium in the Usino-Bundi district of Madang Province is accessible to all and can cater for all sporting codes.

Local MP and Minister for Education, Jimmy Uguro said, people can utilize the sports precinct and create opportunities and contribute to sports development in the province.

He appealed to his people to take care of the facility as it cost the district over K2million.

Young men and women were also challenged to use the opportunity to take part in sporting activities in order to expose their talents.

“Stop holding up vehicles, and stealing from people. The sports precinct was built to help you, young people expose your skills and export it to the outside world. There is money in sports. The facility is there to help you make money out of it, so make use of it,” said Minister Uguro.

The Jimmy Uguro sports precinct was opened by Prime Minister James Marape two weeks ago and witnessed by sports Minister Wesley Raminai.

To mark the opening of the precinct, Prime Minister James Marape launched the Prime Minister’s Cup tournament with four sporting codes taking part in the tournament. The codes included Rugby 9s, Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer. A total of 184 teams for women and men took part in the tournament.

Madang Governor, Peter Yama who was present at the event committed K150,000 to the tournament while the Sports Minister also committed another K100,000.

Meanwhile, Minister Uguro said the Prime Minister’s cup is a start for more sporting competitions to be held at the precinct.

He officially closed the tournament yesterday.

The newly opened Jimmy Uguro sports precinct at Walium in the Usino-Bundi district of Madang Province is accessible to all and can cater for all sporting codes.

Local MP and Minister for Education, Jimmy Uguro said, people can utilize the sports precinct and create opportunities and contribute to sports development in the province.

He appealed to his people to take care of the facility as it cost the district over K2million.

Young men and women were also challenged to use the opportunity to take part in sporting activities in order to expose their talents.

“Stop holding up vehicles, and stealing from people. The sports precinct was built to help you, young people expose your skills and export it to the outside world. There is money in sports. The facility is there to help you make money out of it, so make use of it,” said Minister Uguro.

The Jimmy Uguro sports precinct was opened by Prime Minister James Marape two weeks ago and witnessed by sports Minister Wesley Raminai.

To mark the opening of the precinct, Prime Minister James Marape launched the Prime Minister’s Cup tournament with four sporting codes taking part in the tournament. The codes included Rugby 9s, Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer. A total of 184 teams for women and men took part in the tournament.

Madang Governor, Peter Yama who was present at the event committed K150,000 to the tournament while the Sports Minister also committed another K100,000.

Meanwhile, Minister Uguro said the Prime Minister’s cup is a start for more sporting competitions to be held at the precinct.

He officially closed the tournament yesterday.

PNG Kapuls Team Manager, Joseph Ealadona on behalf of the players, management team and the coaching staff thanked the country for showing support during the Oceania FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers in Qatar.

The NGCB sponsored side bowed out of the qualifiers against Solomon Islands in the semi-final.

Despite being a placed in a tough pool, Kapuls showed determination and played their best to reach the finals, something the country should be proud of.

Ealadona has also confirmed that PNG Kapuls will play a friendly match against Vanuatu on Thursday in Doha, Qatar. Vanuatu pulled out of the OFC Qualifiers after majority of the players were tested COVID-19 positive. Vanuatu has since been cleared and requested for a game.

PNG and Vanuatu who are part of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) are taking this opportunity to also unleash some of their debutant players.

Kapuls Coach, Marcos Gusmao said he will be using this opportunity to play the many young debutants and others who did not take part in the tournament to see how PNG measures up against Vanuatu .

Meanwhile all MSG countries have rallied their support to Solomon Islands in the OFC grand-final against New Zealand.

In the meantime, MSG leaders have agreed to revive the popular Melanesia Cup, endorsed by the Oceania Football Confederation.

The PNG mens national team the Kapuls knew it would be a tough outing against the New Zealand All whites, in an empty Suhaim Bin Hamad stadium in Doha Qatar.

The 2022 Oceania Football Confederation FIFA World Cup Qualifiers has PNG pitted against some of the toughest teams in the region in group B with New Caledonia and Fiji part of the group as well.

Without a doubt New Zealand’s technical prowess was their edge against Papua New Guinea, it was a cagy first half with both teams failing to find the back of the net.

But the New Zealand All Whites were the more experienced and kept PNG starving for possession.

New Zealand had 62 percent of the possession in the first half and had six attempts at goal. PNGs key strikers, Raymond Gunemba, Tommy Sammy and Ati Kepo were left with only few options as the New Zealand defense proved effective against a spirited PNG side, most times having to play back to try and find open space to push the ball through to the strikers.

Though there were calculated attacks by New Zealand, PNG’s backline stood quite firm with Alwin and Felix Komolong proving a handful for the New Zealand forwards.

Veteran PNG Goalkeeper Ronald Warisan also managed a few crucial saves.

The second half proved costly for the Kapuls who lost skipper and midfielder David Muta to injury in the 58th minute, gaining Yagi Yasasa to replace him.

PNG did manage their best chance at goal when substitute, Kolu Kepo almost put through a header from a cross kick by Daniel Joe after a back heel from Raymond Gunemba, sadly that was the only true opportunity for PNG.

New Zealand’s key substitutes, rookies, Ben Waine and Ben Old, turned things around for the All Whites.

With 15 minutes remaining a free kick to New Zealand was quickly released by Matt Garbett to Dane Ingham who pushed it through for Ben Waine to get one past Ronald Warisan, all this while PNG was slowly organizing their defense.

The score line could have been higher, with New Zealand hitting the crossbar twice in the final 10 minutes, PNG keeper Ronald Warisan also saved a few.

There was more expected of New Zealand but it was the first time the team displayed true team spirit in playing together.

PNG, who ranked 165th in the FIFA rankings were spirited despite not playing together for the past two years, apart from the two friendlies before the loss to New Zealand.

The three points are crucial for New Zealand as they prepare to face Fiji who are current leaders in Group B after a 2-1 win over New Caledonia.

PNG will try to find redemption in their match against New Caledonia on Tuesday.

PHOTO FILE: Courtesy of OFC.

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has expanded its commitment to sports through its latest partnership with the SP PNG Hunters Rugby Team as a new sponsor for the 2022 season in the Queensland Cup.

In announcing this partnership, BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said, “we are delighted to be expanding our relationship in the rugby league fraternity through the PNG Hunters, an International Rugby League Club that shares the same values and understands the importance of putting communities and people especially fans and supporters at the forefront of their decision.”

“We see this as both a national and international opportunity to increase our national brand awareness as well as supporting local talent,” said Fleming.

The CEO further stated that as a sponsor and a bank serving in communities that has rugby fans, they understand the passion people have for the sport and the team and the positive impact the team(SP Hunters) can play in the community.

“We hope our support of K150,000 will help the team continue their hunt for the top spots and make PNG proud, ” Flemming adds.

SP PNG Hunters Commercial Manager Alan Moramoro in welcoming BSP as the new competition shorts sponsor said, “PNG Hunters board Chaired by Stan Joyce, management and team are excited to welcome a prominent corporate partner. As a 100% PNG owned bank, it is a brand that will sit proudly on the back of our playing shorts as we launch into the Queensland Hostplus Cup 2022 competition.”

The partnership also involves great awareness opportunities at home and away games, which the team is looking forward to regardless of on-field performances