By JOE GURINA
THE Namea Rugby Nines Cup has brought together youths from across Mekeo, providing a platform for young players to showcase their rugby talent while promoting unity among communities.
The week-long tournament, hosted at Aipeana village in West Mekeo, Kakriku, over the weekend, attracted 50 teams from across the district.
The competition not only provided entertainment for locals but also helped uncover emerging rugby talents who may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Mekeo Local Level Government (LLG) president Edward Kekele described the tournament as a promising initiative that demonstrated the power of sport to unite young people and communities.
“The Namea Cup did really bring unity amongst all the youths and locals of the Mekeo LLG through this tournament,” Kekele said.
Kekele said bringing youths together through sport was important in strengthening relationships among communities and encouraging young people to use their talents positively.
He commended the youths of Aipeana who drastically changed their behavior through this Rugby Nines tournament.
” Whilst showcasing true sportsmanship on the field, I witnessed the youths of Aipeana who supported the staging of the tournament and were there to watch the games,” he added.
He said alcohol related issues that had remained a norm for the youths of Aipeana was never seen and commended the youths for their well behaved manner during the tournament.
He commended the youths of Aipeana and Inauwi who were common with their notorious habits in disturbing such events with their bushknives and home made guns.
” For the first time, this has not happened, and I commend and acknowledge the youths for demonstrating a peaceful atmosphere for the people to enjoy the rugby nines tournament,” he said.
He said these sort of sports programs should be continued in every villages of Mekeo to engage youths in sports.
He acknowledged the local MP for Kairuku Peter Namea Isoaimo in fully supporting the tournament at a value of K70,000 funded directly under the Kairuku District Development Authority’s Community Law and Justice sector funds.
Isoaimo who also is the Minister for Energy emphasized the importance of sports as a vehicle for youth development and empowerment.
The successful staging of the Namea Cup has highlighted the potential of grassroots rugby to identify young talent while promoting unity and community participation across Mekeo.