Abel officiates at EPC

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Member for Alotau, Charles Abel, was given a traditional Kiriwina welcome when he officiated at the EPC games last weekend at the Bisini Colts Oval.
Abel said it was his first time to visit the tournament and was happy to hear of Alotau teams participating in this year’s tournament.
“Sports is an ongoing development that keeps us busy, fit, teaches us new skills and most of all, allows us to enjoy each other’s companies. And I am happy to know that since 1977, the Eastern Papua Carnival is the longest running sports organistion.
“We can see that sport is getting bigger and better in Papua New Guinea every year and I want to thank my government, our prime minister’s investment into sports.
“This is evident in the number of events the country has hosted, the current World Rugby League Cup, the 2015 Pacific Games, the U20 FIFA Women’s Soccer, we can see in the standard of sports facilities and performances are continuing to improve and we will continue to invest there.”
Abel kicked off the match between the men’s Galea Oceaner’s 2 and Maiyela 1.
He also presented a K10,000 support for the running of this year’s tournament and wished the teams who came from Alotau and Kiriwina success.
EPC President, Bede Tomokita, said the tournament, the longest running competition, was set up for the fostering of friendship and unity among the Milne Bay communities living in Port Moresby.
“At this level, we also strive to identify young talent from the province, which has seen many players currently playing in the Port Moresby Soccer Association, the stepping stone for representative soccer.”
The EPC is mainly sponsored by the NCD Governor Powes Parkop in an annual package of K30,000, with support also coming from the Kiriwina-Goodenough MP Douglas Tomuriesa of K25,000 and from former Milne Bay Governor Titus Philemon of K10,000 over the past six years.
“Otherwise, the EPC generates the bulk of its funds from club affiliations, team registrations and gate takings from its community.”
The EPC is in its second week of competition at the Bisini Colts and Bava Park fields.