MADANG PULL OUT OF TOUCH TOURNEY

BY NIGEL MADO

A number of teams taking part in the National Touch Championship this year are not set to take part due to financial and transportation difficulties with one province forced to withdraw and others still making their way to Port Moresby.

Tournament director David Melua said 15 provinces were participating this year, but the competition had been affected by the difficulties teams faced in travelling to the capital.

Madang was unable to take part after failing to overcome transportation and financial problems.

He said other provincial teams were also facing difficulties getting to the tournament.

Teams from Kavieng and Kimbe were still travelling when the tournament began, while another provincial team had only arrived on the morning of the opening day.

He said unlike teams based in the National Capital District, provincial sides have to factor in transport, accommodation and other logistical costs before they can even take the field.

Despite those challenges, Melua is pleased that most of the participating provinces had managed to make it to the tournament.