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2007 SP CUP LAUNCH

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THE SP Cup season is back with the kick-off scheduled for Sunday 15th April in Port Moresby, Lae, Kokopo and Mount Hagen respectively.

At the 2007 SP Cup Launch last night, SP Brewery General Manager Stan Joyce said that SP Brewery was proud of its ongoing support to the competition and will continue to do so under its flagship brand, SP Lager.

“We will continue to uphold the values of our SP Lager brand – camaraderie, friendship and good sportsmanship,” said Mr Joyce.

Mr Joyce reiterated that as the major sponsor of this premier rugby league competition, SP Brewery would like to emphasise to all rugby league supporters to make this year’s SP Cup a trouble free one.

“We would like to see the SP Cup a trouble free one where all rugby league supporters and families come and enjoy a safe and entertaining game,” said Mr Joyce.

The 2007 SP Cup season promises to be another bigger and exciting one with the K400,000 backing by major sponsor SP Brewery. This brings to the total sponsorship over the last three years of K1.2 million.

SP Brewery also introduced its 2007 SP Cup Tagline -‘Bring it On.’ “With this tagline, we of course, want to bring the Passion, Excitement and Glory of the Game to all rugby league supporters in PNG again this year,” announced Mr Joyce.

SP Brewery also took the opportunity to welcome new franchise owners – Bintangor Trading, supporting the Lahanis of Goroka and Kunjin Coffee, sponsors of the Eagles of Mount Hagen.

The SP Cup sponsor also acknowledged all franchise owners and support sponsors for their ongoing support.

“We would like to thank all these franchise owners for their continuing support to their respective teams not only to keep PNG’s favourite game alive but also in making their players’ dream of being part of the SP Cup competition a reality, said the SPB GM.

Similar to 2006, this season will maintain a total nine franchise team which are: Mabey and Johnson Muruks (Mendi); Agmark Gurias (Kokopo); Brian Bell Bulldogs; Wari Vele Raiders (Port Moresby); Toyota Mioks (Wabag); Pagini Warriors (Kundiawa), LBC Bombers  (Lae), Bintangor Lahanis (Goroka) and Kunjin Eagles (Mount Hagen).

Mr Joyce also thanked the PNG Rugby Football League and the PNG National Rugby League for developing the sport of rugby league and supporting the SP Cup.

“We thank the media for their active support in bringing the game to the masses and we look forward to your continued coverage this season, said Mr Joyce.

Special guest at the launch was PNG’s former rugby league sensation Marcus Bai, who flew in on Monday to witness the launch of the 2007 SP Cup.

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