Independence soccer tournament in Garaina a success

By SAMPSON BONAI

ARIHE men claimed the 2018 Waria Valley Independence  Unity Cup Soccer Tournament title after defeating Terize 1-0 in the grand final in Garaina on Wednesday.

Arihe with the tropy after defeating Terize in the men's grand final in Waria Valley Independence Unity Cup Soccer Tournament in Garaina on Wednesday.-Picture by SAMPSON BONAI

Terize finished second and walked away with the runner-up trophy and K500 cash prize money.

In the women's division, Au proved too strong over Palm Shadows from Garaina 2-0 in the grandfinal to walk home with the trophy and K1 000 cash prize money.

Palm Shadows settled for the runner-up  trophy and K500 cash prize money.  

Teko (men) finished third and walked away with K250 and Terabe (women) also finished third and settled for K250.

Palm Shadows (men) came fourth and Arihe (women) also settled for the fourth placings and won two trophies respectively.

Teko men and Edu Toiros won the fair play trophies.

Michael Rouna (men) from Guri team and Koni Sapi (women) from Au team took out the player-of -the-tournament awards.

Ebong Peter (men) of Palm Shadows won the golden boot award for scoring a seben goals and Rihu Kenia (women) also took out the same award.

Samuel Guidea (men) won the individual award as the best goal keeper and Rayban Sepsi took out the best defenders award.

Jethro Perabi (men) from GSA and Belinda Sio (women) from Palm Shadow won the midfielder awards.

Gerau men and Terube women took out the most-improved team awards retrospectively.

The grand final ended peacefully without and everyone went away satisfied for taking part in Undependence celebrations by participating in the Unity Cup soccer tournament.

A total 48 teams - 28 men and 18 women -  took part in this third Unity Cup tournament in Garaina from September 9-19.

Major sponsor and Cocoa Board Chief Executive Officer Boto Gaupu thanked the 48 teams for participating in the tournament and congratulated the winning teams.

Arihe team manager Joe Tongata (left) receiving the winning trophy and K1000 prize money from major sponsor and Cocoa Board CEO Boto Gaupu after defeating Terize 1-0 in the grand final of Waria Valley Independence Unity Cup Soccer Tournament in Garaina on Wednesday.

"We will host a bigger and better tournament next year to coincides with the launching of the cocoa project in Waria Valley," Gaupu said.

"I encourage all the team's to train hard to compete for the first cash prize money of K5,000.

"I held talks with Federation Football PNG President John Kapi Natto and he will  accompany me to scout for rural soccer talents during 2019 soccer tournament.

"I also extend my words and appreciation and thanks to all the technical officials and chairman Sobi Sasia for organising a successful soccer tournament this year."