Two killed in league riot

Source: The National, Tuesday July 9th, 2013

TWO men are dead following a Sunday of violence between rugby league fans in Wabag, Enga.
Scenes of chaos erupted before the end of the match between the Enga Mioks and Lae Snax Tigers.
The Snax Tigers bus was burnt and several people were slashed with bush knives, with one reportedly in critical condition in hospital.
Tigers supporters, mostly from Wapenamanda where coach Stanley Tepend hails from, have blocked the Highlands Highway to Enga effectly cutting off Wabag town and the Porgera gold mine.
Air Niugini has cancelled flights into Wapenamanda and the PNG Rugby League have cancelled home games in Enga for the Mioks until an investigation is completed.
Wabag provincial police commander Philip Waliya said a man is in police custody following the fatal slashing of another at the game.
A mobile squad has been called in to monitor the situation.
Enga Governor Peter Ipatas, who was at the game, said the incident was isolated and was instigated by drunk supporters.
He welcomed the suspension of home games but urged that the investigation be carried out swiftly to establish who was at fault.
In a statement, Air Niugini said the suspension took effect yesterday and would remain until further notice.
“Our customers are advised to contact your nearest Air Niugini sales office or preferred travel agents to revalidate your travel arrangement.”
The airline said the situation was beyond its control.
“We will not jeopardise the safety of our passengers, crew and the aircraft.
“Safety is always of paramount importance in the operations of Air Niugini.”
Waliya said the deceased had been identified as a student attending Kompiam High School and who had been temporarily providing security during the intercity cup match at the Aipus rugby ground.
He said the suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and entered the main gate when security guards stopped him.
Waliya said the suspect pulled out a bush knife out and chopped the security guard.
He said a fight broke among relatives and supporters and an old man from Wapenmanda who was providing driving and cooking services for the Snax Tigers was also killed.
Rlatives of the deceased retaliated and set up a roadblock in and out of Wabag.
Waliya said he had sent the police station commander and a mobile unit to assess and contain the situation.
Tigers coach Stanley Tepend is the only member of the Lae franchise who is still in Enga attending to the death and hauskrai while team manger Tim Rodgers and the rest of the team are back in Lae after flying out of Mt Hagen.
The match in Wabag between EPG Enga Mioks and Lae Snax Tigers was 30-6 in favor of the Mioks when the violence erupted and the game had to be called off.
Tepend, when contacted, echoed the stance by PNG National Rugby League general manager Hubert Warupis that what happened outside of the playing field was beyond their control.
Speaking yesterday by phone at the hauskrai of the deceased at Waps village in Enga, Tepend raised concern about the safety of Digicel Cup rugby league players and pointed out the lax security

Loko runs wild in Wabag

Source: The National, Monday 22nd April 2013

By PHILIP KEPSON
THE return of the lost son David Loko, pictured, to the Enga Mioks with a morale boosting performance gave the Engans what they needed most – a 26-4 thrashing of Mendi Muruks to record their second straight win in the Digicel Cup.
After leaving Mioks fans in Enga and elsewhere disappointed for weeks following speculation Loko had signed up with the Hela Wigmen, the lad from Kagua, Southern Highlands, took the spectators by surprise yesterday when he ran onto the field with the Mioks and scored three tries in a row within 15 minutes to set up the win.
Loko, who is a favourite performer at the Johnson Siki Oval, picked up a long pass from halfback Roger Laka at the 20m line and ran through the Muruks defence for a touchdown under the uprights. Roger converted to take an early 6-0 lead.
Loko made the spectators go crazy with untamed screams when he scored his second converted try in the 10th minute to put the Julian O’Neill-coached team under pressure.
A member of the World Cup training squad, Loko the Johnson Siki Oval faithful on thier feet when he picked up a well-timed pass from five-eighth Mai Tom in centre field before knocking down three defenders to score between the uprights to give Laka an easy conversion to put his fellow Southern Highlanders under even more pressure at 18-0.
The Muruks did not give up, with captain Wesly Benny yapping at the heels of his big forwards in the likes of Andrew Buka, Toto Pawa and Vincent King to keep hitting the Mioks defence.
Their efforts paid off after 35 minutes with an unconverted try at the far right from a loose ball that allowed fullback Richard Mapi to score.
The Muruks tried to make improvements in the second half, mostly in defence to hold the homeside at bay.
But the halves combination of Roger and Mai in the ruck area, with hard running outside centre Pasu Awani and leading backline defender Tiger Emere playing their duties, snuffed out a Mendi comeback.
The Mioks had the added advantage of rampaging runs from Loko, Esau Siune and Emmanuel Saar to create more opportunities to score two more tries in the remaining 10 minutes through winger Tautau Noi and Sonny Daing to end the game 26-4

Mioks rampant at home

Source: The National, Monday 15th April, 2013

By PHILIP KEPSON
THE Enga Mioks thrashed fellow Highlanders TNA Lions 40-8 at the Johnson Siki Oval yesterday in Wabag to record their first two points in the opening game of the Digicel Cup.
It was the commanding performance by dazzling centre Pasu Awani and bulldozing forward Esau Siune that inspired the Engan side to send a signal to other teams that they are a team to be reckoned this season.
Despite the absence of rousing forward and captain David Loko, who joined the Hela Wigman this season, the team showed a high level of game with fullback Jeffrey Maino and sneaky five-eighth Roger Raka calling the shots from the back to keep their damaging forwards Ima Saar, Meninga Keith, Lizo Puri and Esau on a rampaging mission against their opponents.
Ten minutes after kick off in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 whose gate fees were met by Wabag MP Robert Ganim, Pasua scored on the far right.
It was the result of a skilful pass from Maino to take an early 4-0 lead.
The Eastern Highlander, who looked hungry for tries, came up with his second in the 15th minute after another 40-metre demoralising run from a well-timed pass from Siune.
Roger’s shoes failed to collect the extras but they looked confident with an 8-0 lead.
The Lions, with some thinking display of skills by their five-eighth Supa Takai and captain Radly Brawa, tried to get over their opponent’s try line but the Engans would not allow them.
They were further humiliated with two more tries to new recruit Bland Abavu and Laka to push the score line to 18-0 by the stroke of halftime.
The second half appeared all for the home team as they dominated play with four more tries through Roger, Abavu, Tiger Emere and Young Tamus, while the Lions scored an unconverted try in the dying minutes through Takai and kicked a penalty to end 40-8 at full time.
Mioks outstanding players were Awani, Siune, Maino, Philip Dama, Daing and Abavu, while Takai, Brawa, Aure Wemin and David Jones shone for the Lions.
Mioks coach Timothy Lepa, who happy with the general performance of his team, said he would keep the same line-up to play the Mendi Muruks in Wabag next week

Loko inspires Mioks

Source: The National, Monday 23rd April 2012

By KEVIN TEME

ENGA Mioks and Kumuls rugby league star David Loko led the Enga provincial government franchise to a second straight victory after beating the Agmark Rabaul Gurias 18-6 in Wabag yesterday.
Loko who had a quiet match against Lahanis last week was back to his best as a wide-running backrower.
Both sides were equal to the task however Loko showed his experience to open the score book with halfback Roger Laka converting to take an early 6-0 lead.
An unfazed Gurias came back strongly through right centre Chris Jerry to level the score with a converted try.
Both sides threw everything into the fray with Gurias five-eighth Dion Aiye steering Radaz boys while for Mioks it was former Port Moresby Paga Panthers halves combination of Laka and Charlie Simon.
The pair starred for the Mioks in the first round of the Digicel Cup against defending champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis in Goroka and continued that form against the Gurias at Johnson Siki Oval.
And it was a team effort that kept the Gurias scoreless in the second half.
The Gurias seemed to run out of ideas against the home side’s resilient  defence
Minutes into the second half, Miok’s dummy half Bernard Tatsen scored before Loko crashed over for his second try.
Little general Laka converted both tries for a perfect record with the boot to give his team a 18-6 lead which they maintained till the final hooter.
Gurias coach Michael Marum was satisfied with his side’s efforts but said the muddy conditions was another factor that apart from causing handling errors did not allow his side to play their natural game.
“My boys tried their best and we stayed in touch at the break at 6-6 but basic errors in the wet and muddy conditions kept us from playing our game,” Marum said.
In Mt Hagen, TNA Simbu Lions made their debut in the competition going down 14-6 to the Mt hagen Eagles.
Lions coach Jean Vandome said he was happy with his side’s first game   and highlighted their defence as an area they had excelled in.
“It was a good performance especially in defence considering they (Eagles) were bigger and very physical.
“It was a brave effort away from home and I knew they gave their best – so I am happy,” Vandome said.
Lions prop Essau Siune, No.6 Supa Takai and halfback Willie Guambo stood up for the Lions against  an Eagles team led by Francis Ray and Jason Tali.

Wilshere facilitates football clinic for school kids in Wabag

Source: The National, Tuesday 28th Febuary 2012

WABAG Primary School in Enga is the first beneficiary of the Fresh Water Grassroots football clinic after the launch in Port Moresby last month.
The clinic aimed to teach boys and girls at the ages of 12 and 16 basic ball handling and defensive skills for both rugby league and union.
School principal Mark Sakol invited the foundation to hold a clinic for the 17 schools in the district.
Wabag MP Sam Abal supported the clinic with logistics for the team to travel to Wabag in an effort to engage local children in activities that build team spirit and camaraderie.
Abal urged other MPs to assist their local schools in bringing the clinics to the children in their communities.
More than 180 school children from the Wabag district participated in the clinic.
The clinic was hosted by former PNG Kumul captain John Wilshere.
The clinics aim to develop youth football and teach not only basic skills but also lessons about healthy living and healthy lifestyles, and team work on and off the field.
As part of the clinic, 20 volunteers from the school community were trained to conduct clinics so that they could continue after the team departs.
A workbook complete with drills will also be sent to schools to assist those conducting the clinics, and to complete the skills transfer process from trainers such as Wilshere to the volunteers in the local community.
The Fresh Water team also donated sporting equipment to support future clinics.
To initiate a clinic at your local school contact Fresh Water via P&B Cheung, Koki in Port Moresby

Ipatas Cup big League for all season

Source: Sports, Post Courier, December 21, 2011

By FRANK RAI

THE Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup rugby league carnival has announced a massive K500,000 allocation for the 2012 competition which will kick off next February.
K200,000 from that money will go in prizes and the remaining K300,000 for food, accommodation and transport for the participants. The budget has dramatically increased since the interest has reached the Southern and New Guinea Islands regions who will be staging separate competitions to select their best teams for the finals. The competition has set a benchmark as being one of the most lucrative off-season competitions in the country, sanctioned by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League. At the official launching last Friday, CCIC chairman Walis Pigin, chief executive officer Timothy Lepa and PNGRFL Highlands presidents spokesman Sandis Tsaka made the announcement in front of a packed crowd at the Aviat Social Club in Lae.
Pigin said it has set a benchmark since its interception in 1999 when it started off with two teams, basically to select the Toyota Enga Mioks team for the Inter-city Cup competition.
Walis said the competition has come this far to spread throughout the country, basically to unearth hidden talents and potential rugby league players in the rural areas.
He said the 2012 competition will set a record for the country in its prize money and at the same time the overall running of the competition.
CEO Lepa also said the competition has produced representative players at both the local and international levels.
He commended sponsors, including major sponsor Coca-Cola Amatil (PNG) saying without their continued assistance, the competition would not have come thus far.
Meanwhile, PNGRFL Highlands Region spokesman Tsaka who stood in for CCIC patron and Enga Governor Peter Ipatas to launch the program said the competition was not only for Enga but for the country.
Tsaka said the Enga Provincial Government would continue to support the competition since it was embarking on bring out hidden talents in the rural areas.
He said the Enga government will ensure that the competition reach heights.

Ipatas Cup downsized

Source: Sport, Post Courier, December 1, 2011


Four regions to have eight teams each in playoff

By CHARLES YAPUMI

Organisers of the 2011-2012 Coca Cola Ipatas Cup tournament will only allow eight teams in a region to register for the elimination fixtures.
Registration for the Mamose Region will close this Friday and Northern region coordinator Mona Tonsy Clyde said, registration forms have been sent to interested clubs and the first eight teams to register will be accepted.
So far six teams from Mamose have already registered and only two spaces are left before close of registration, he said. The games will be staged in Lae.
Teams confirmed are Lae Biscuit Spiders, Kamkumung Crushers, Kainantu, Markam Ramu, Bulolo and Bumbu Barbarians.
After the eliminations matches, the top two teams from the four regions will go to Wabag for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the official calendar launching of the Ipatas Cup will be held at Lae Aviat Club together with the Toyota Enga Mioks presentation night on the December 16.
The newly appointed general secretary for Ipatas Cup, Molly Perry Geno will confirm the teams from Southern, Island, and Highlands during the launching.
More than 216 team have shown interest but only eight teams in each region will be playing, and the winners and runners-up will qualify for the K200,000 cash playoff, expected to be staged in Wabag.

Mioks key

Source: Sports, Post Courier - October 14, 2011
By CHARLES YAPUMI

THE Agmark Rabaul Guria and Toyota Enga Mioks semi-final showdown in Port Moresby on Sunday is expected to be a close encounter, because it will be played away from both franchises’ home venues.
The winners will stay another week in the nation’s capital for the inaugural Digicel Cup grand final clash against Bintangor Goroka Lahanis slotted for next Sunday.
Both franchises were rated outsiders by bookmakers during the start of the season to make the finals because of many raw talents and debutants in their squads.
“We have been rated as underdogs throughout the season, and will be wearing the same tag but will be removing the tag next weekend,” Mioks coach Timothy Lepa said.
Lepa is confident of a win because of the momentum of playing in the elimination final where they defeated SBSL Mendi Muruks in Wabag last weekend.
       But Guria’s coach Michael Marum thinks otherwise: “The two weeks off had helped us to build on our weakness.”
From the season’s statistics, Guria have defeated Mioks 2-1, but will mean nothing on Sunday because games won by both teams were at their home venue, and Port Moresby is a neutral venue.
Guria will be without the service of winger Jonathon Levi who broke his arm in their last match, and his replacement is yet to be named.
“I have all 22 members of my squad available and will name my team on Saturday,” Marum said. I will be banking on experienced players Pidi Tongap and Obert Ondele to lead is youthful team.”
Mioks have been given a clean bill of health after last weekend’s physical encounter and will be banking on inspirational skipper David Loko and halfback Steven Kua to dictate play.
The team that defends well and makes fewer mistakes will be the team playing next weekend, Lepa said.
Both franchises will arrive in Port Moresby on Saturday for the match.
Meanwhile, PNG National Rugby League general manager Hubert Warupi in an email to the Post-Courier said names of franchises which have outstanding fees owed to PNGNRL will be revealed after the grand final.
The deadline imposed by PNGNRL Board for defaulters to pay up was last week Sunday.

Mioks maul Muruks

Source: The National - Monday 10th October, 2011

By KEVIN TEME
IN a mud-riddled affair, Toyota Enga Mioks kept their final hopes alive by beating former three-time champions Structural Bridging System Mendi Muruks 26-8 victory at Johnson Siki Oval in Wabag yesterday.
Muruks were shut out in all departments while the heavy rain also took its toll and shattered a determined Naikos who could only muster eight points through Wesser Tanza and Matthew Puke to Mioks’ 26.
Mioks led 14-8 at half time with Muruks trying their best to register points only to be denied by a solid defence in the second stanza keeping the cassowaries scoreless.
Mioks coach Timothy Lepa also played mind games in the build-up to the encounter telling the media that stars David Loko, Esau Suine and Jeffery Maino were in doubt for the game through injury, absence and ill discipline but all three players took the field to lead the Mioks to their first victory in the Digicel Cup finals.
“In the first half we didn’t compete as well as we wanted to so I made it clear our defence was the key given the conditions.
“I give full credit to the boys for going out there and doing the job and getting the win,” Lepa said.
He said the victory was sweet but there were still areas to work on which he feels needed to be polished before meeting the Agmark Rabaul Gurias in the major semi final in Port Moresby coming Sunday.
For Muruks, it was not welcome news for former three time champion coach or player, Stanley Hondina.
Hondina was at the helm of Muruks success story in 2006-2009 where they won back to back premiership and further added a success story after leading his boys to the preliminary finals after beating Port Moresby Stop and Shop Vipers in do or die match in Lae last week.
“Mioks were the better side on that day despite the heavy rain. Rain also played a strong part and we lost track but we can not give excuse and say bad weather, in fact we lost the game,” Hondina said.
Hondina said inconsistent calls by the referee Wayne Wool also downplayed their side’s game plan giving penalties consecutively at certain stages.
Hondina however wished the Mioks well in their remaining game against the Gurias.
“After all, mipla yet ENSO (Enga Souths) so I wish them well and hope they bring the Cup to Wabag,” Hondina said.

Fans pack town

Source: Post Courier, Friday October 7, 2011 

By CHARLES YAPUMI and PETER SAA

JOHNSON Siki oval in Wabag will be jam-packed to capacity on Sunday, when home team Toyota Enga Mioks play their first home finals match after entering the premier rugby league competition 15 years ago.
Mioks are hosting SBSL Mendi Muruks in the Digicel Cup elimination finals fixture.
The winners survive for another week, while the losers bow out and prepare for next season.
“Wabag ipulap nau wantaim ol manmeri (Wabag is full of people)” Mioks’ coach Timothy Lepa said yesterday, refereeing to the large number of people throughout the province who have already arrived in their capital.
The people of Ambum Valley are planning to walk about 100 kilometres to Aipos field, while others are planning to overnight in Wabag on Saturday just to watch the game because PMVs doesn’t operate on Sunday.
Patron and Governor Peter Ipatas said, he expects close to 10,000 Engans to pass through the gate, but the crowd to be divided not like other centres.
Mioks team comprises of many unknown talents and Lepa is confident the young side will fly over to Port Moresby next week for the semi-final game against Agmark Rabaul Guria.
He is yet to name his side, and told Post Courier yesterday that he will wait until Saturday to give time to players who are under injury cloud to prove their match fitness.
Lepa said skipper David Loko who had gone back to his village after the Prime Minister’s XIII match has not joined the camp yet, but when he arrives he must prove his fitness to take the field.”
Muruks who have had a good record playing in Wabag, won’t be an easy pushover, and with finals experience of players such as Joesph Omai, Charlie Wabo, and Travis Wanenara could be an added advantage to the Lae based franchise