The Kroton Hela Wigmen will be wearing black armbands for the season opener against sister team PRK Mendi Muruks tomorrow at the Joe Kevieme Oval in Mendi.
“It has been a turbulent past 4 weeks for us starting with the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck Hela, Southern Highlands and parts of Enga, Gulf, Western Province and East Sepik where lives have been lost and properties destroyed,” said Wigmen board chairman, Andy Hetra.
Over the weekend, tribal fights escalated in the heart of the provincial capital in Tari, resulting in further loss of lives.
“These are trying time for us, having to represent a province that is torn by natural and manmade disasters.
“We have been struck to our cores but our society has been one that has evolved over time and we will get the better of it as we re-gather and come out of these calamities.
“We will put those issues behind us and for once, we will play in front of our people to give something back to them through rugby league as a launching pad to provide the inspiration and hope for a better future ahead despite these problems that are staring at us.
“There is no better way than to play our sister team in Mendi for our season opener.
“We will be wearing black arm bands on Sunday, to signify that we are still in mourning for the lives that have been lost. Not all hopes have been lost as we believe that there is always something better at the end of every bad situation.
“The black armbands are to remind everyone that we have to stay together in these trying times and raise up together despite the miseries with are challenged with.”
Hetra also announced the team for the 2018 season.
The Kroton Hela Wigmen:
1. Elvis Ayako (Muruks) Hela
2. Melvin Paul (Wigmen)
3. Stanford Talita (Wigmen)
4. Daniel Tapol (Mioks)
5. Nicky Kili (Wigmen)
6. Benton Lame (Pom)
7. Benjamin Hetra (Wigmen) Hela
8. Warren Glare (Wigmen)
9. Raymond Tia (Vipers) Hela
10. Ham Tina (Vipers)
11. Joel Muna ( Wigmen) Hela
12. Messac Wellen (Wigmen)
13. Junior Mel (Pom)
14. Benard Lama (Tigers)
15. Nickson Kolo (Muruks)
16. Richard Tuawo (Lae)
17. Joel Tagobe (Wigmen) Hela
18. Tom Opera (Tari league)
19. Paul Nelson (PNG 7's )
20. Valentine Culligan (UPNG)
21. Andy Tia (Tari League)
22. Junior Leo Tagobe (Tari league)
23. Kewa Kili (Mendi Muruks)
24. Stanley Olo (Gurias)
25. David Joseph (Wigmen)
26. Mckenzie Yei - Hunters
27. Junior Rau - Hunters
28. Clyde Neme - Hunters
29. William Mone - Hunters
Coach: Roderick Puname