Ipatas Cup

The 2023-2024 season marks 21 years since the competition was initiated by visionary leader and action Egan governor Sir Peter Ipatas in 2002 under foundation naming right sponsor Coca Cola.

Competition manager Sam Koi confirmed the 21^st edition of the country’s biggest and longest offeason rugby league competition is underway with 104 registered teams covering the mainland alone. This is testament to the incredible success the competition and the impact on community.

The signing of the agreement stiffens NGCB’s commitment to uphold the pledge of K500, 000 per annum for four years, made by the Minister responsible for NGCB Manassh Makiba MP.

Minister Makiba made the pledge on 5th of March 2023, at the Lae Rugby League Oval in Morobe Province during the 2022/2023 grand final between the Homeland Saints of Western Highlands and Morobe Prides.

During the Agreement signing, Minister Makiba stressed on the importance of sports and the positive social impact it brings to the livelihood of people.

CCIC Competition Manager Sam Koi approved and confirmed this, early this week. Draws are now already.

West New Britain and East New Britain (ENB) have always been part of the competition over the past decade however due to lack of sponsorship and logistical constraints, ENB couldn’t make it this year.

CCIC Competition Manager Sam Koi said while initial dialogues with New Ireland and the Autonomous Region Of Bougainville have been established with favorable feedbacks, effects of the pandemic has not made it possible.

The boys from Jiwaka  led by Waghi Tumbe duo Saki Peter at five-eight and Joe "the tank"Frank in the center set the platform for their team in the first half with former Rabaul Guria prop Gene Markham opening the scoring with a try only minutes into the contest followed by Saki Peter with good ball skill, the footwork and speed slipping through  Ninjas defence to race away to score untouched  at 12-0 until halftime.

In second stanza was a display of brutal defense resulting countless drop balls but both teams kept their cool.

The results so far:

Paga Panthers def. Niugini Online 6 Mile Storms 14-5, QPR Wanderers def. Young Valuers 8-0, 5 Mile Kongos def. M2 Mumuts 12-0, North Build Hummers drew with D8 Mosquitoes 0-0, Emparado Giants def. Okuk Watch Dogs 14-4, Agro Bullets def. City Redbacks 8-0, UPNG Attaffair Aladin def. Debona Hornets 18-2, and Garden Hills Niutel def. Waigani Irelai 8-4.

Official, David Silovo confirmed there are 16 teams taking part in the four day tournament for the one golden pass available to progress on to the next stage of the 2018 CCIC.

Signatures on no-confidence motion to be checked

http://www.looppng.com/content/signatures-no-confidence-motion-be-checked

The signatures on the motion for the vote of no-confidence (VONC) against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill will have its authenticity confirmed.

HB Case: Empty shell matches weapon

Hawks piped out Morobe Chiefs 20-18 while Crushers crushed their brothers from Chimbu, the Sine Suwai Brothers 15-0.

Hawks were the dark horses in this two-day competition and a surprise to all to book themselves a ticket for the great show down.

The Crushers/Brothers game finished yesterday as they couldn't complete it on Sunday due to fading lights.

Crushers were leading 11-nil when the game ended at half time and all agreed to continue the second half yesterday at the same venue.

The lads from Kamkumung scored an unconverted try to win by 15 points.

After much delay in getting the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup (CCIC) started towards the end of last year, it was finally got off the ground with the Chimbu Leg of the competition played in Lae over the weekend.

Chief Executive Officer Timothy Lepa said the Chimbu game was stage in Lae because the playing field in Kundiawa was in bad shape as well as other issues.

He said they had in the past encountered many issues which had disrupted the competition in the past.

"We have all agreed to move the games to Lae because the Kundiawa Dickson Oval is not good for playing.

The games will start in about a month’s time and will run for eight weeks.

The knock-outs will be held in Lae in mid February with the finals to be moved to Wabag in the third week of the same month.

Below is the official calendar released by the Ipatas Cup CEO Timothy Lepa: