Madang ready for Kimbe 7s meet

 
By Jeffery Elapa, The National
MADANG’s Mad Gauns have arrived in Kimbe, West New Britain.
They are hoping to make an impact in the Kimbe rugby union sevens tournament which starts this weekend.
Madang’s Paul Joseph said from Kimbe that his boys had secured a sponsorship from the Madang  government and other business houses in town.
Sigma Construction Ltd provided the team with jerseys worth more than K3,000 while Lae Biscuit Company helped the meet with T-shirts.
“The team received a timely sponsorship from the provincial government through the Community Development office with a K5,000 donation.
“The team’s morale is high with Sigma’s contribution,” Joseph said.
He said Sigma was no stranger to supporting grassroots sports in the province and their continued support for rugby in Madang had already reaped positive results with the Mad Gauns winning the Trans Highway title and a plate in the Black Orchid 7s challenge early this year.
Under skipper Joe Manalau of 6B Pirates, the side boast of giant Tui Fitiao, Matagal Tamilong, Paul Joseph, Victor Manab, Edwin Benjamin, Daniel Polong, Willie Lakman, Anderson Yama, Donald Kais, Joseph Kalip and Oswald Quinnie and Rookies Quinnie are primed to give their best for the province.
Tamilong and Joseph should provide the platform for the side to rise to the occasion.
Paul said that more than 16 teams, including the Brisbane Dingoes, who have flown into PNG,  were expected to arrive in Kimbe for the tournament.
“We sincerely thank Sigma Constructions, Islands Petroleum, Lae Biscuit Company through their biscuit brand, Snax, Spic and Span, Madang provincial government and other individuals who have contributed in cash and kind.
“We are proud to represent the province in this highly-organised tournament which is into its fourth year,” he said.