The town of Vanimo, usually very quiet on Sundays, came alive yesterday as teams battle for the top spot in Soccer and Volleyball, in the Namah Cup Sports Tournament.
In its second year, the annual Namah Cup Sports Tournament started in December 2020 as a way to keep youths off the streets and away from illicit activities.
With a K150 000 sponsorship from the local MP and leader of Opposition, Belden Namah, Tournament Chairman, Dickson Muliale said the competition lured teams from all over the District.
The grand final challenge was held on Sunday for both soccer and volleyball.
The highlight of the Tournament however was the men’s soccer challenge between Dali Dogs and Waromo FC.
Opposition Leader, Belden Namah, who officiated the match said he is using this platform also to discourage sport fights.
“I do not want fights on the field, there will always be a winner and a loser and I want us to practice good sportsmanship,” said Namah.
He then presented K150 000 in cash to the chairman of the Tournament, putting more pressure on teams to perform with a K10 000 price money up for grabs for first place in soccer.
The teams took the field and it was a tough game until the second half when Dali Dogs broke through the tough Waromo FC defense, with Capistrano Wunum scoring two goals.
“We were not training because we were busy preparing the field for the tournament but somehow, we won,” said Dali Dogs Coach, Wilson Tumak.”
Insert4: Dickson Muliale – Chairman
In his capacity as the local MP, the Opposition Leader further called on LLG’s in his District to organize themselves and hold similar sport challenges.
“In this way, we can produce good sportsmen and women so we can plan for bigger games like participating in the NSL” said Namah.
“We have a lot of very talented individuals back in the villages but very few of them attend these tournaments,” said Tournament Chairman, Dickson Muliale.
“This activities are good for scouts to attend and pick out some talents from the area,” added Muliale.
This tournament ends the 2020 Christmas Sports challenge in Vanimo and the organizers are now planning for this year’s Tournament, set for December 2021, with the local MP committed to supporting.
