By Colleen Barilae – EMTV News, Lae
An Ipatas Cup match in Goroka has seen victory awarded to the Jaka Opana Hawks, despite their match against the Pokona Jets ending in a draw.
A CEO’s call based on the tournament’s by-laws of constitution has seen the lucky team walk away with victory.
This has qualified the Jaka Okapa Hawks to represent Goroka in the Eastern playoffs of the competition, which will take place in Lae this March.
CEO Timothy Lepa says that victory was awarded to the Hawks due being wrongly awarded a penalty against them during the match.
The gold pass secures Jaka Okapa Hawks’ entry into the finals competition, with all expenses provided for by the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup board.
Eight playoff matches will take place in Lae, while Mt Hagen will play host to eight matches for the Western component of the competition.
After four consecutive years of failing to make the finals at various tournaments, the Jaka Okapa Hawks have proven that patience certainly pays off.
It wasn’t all bad news though for the Pokona Jets, who was also given a mercy pass to the playoffs under the CEO’s discretion.
