The much-anticipated soccer tournament for the Milne Bay people, the Eastern Papua Cup (EPC) tournament, kicked off yesterday at the University of Papua New Guinea Oval in Port Moresby much to the excitement of soccer fans. The EPC President, who is also the Assistant Commissioner of Police Human Resources, Samson Siguyaru told PNG HAUSBUNG that the tournament will run for five (5) weeks with a total of 24 clubs and 59 teams. Twelve (12) women’s teams, thirty-five (35) men’s teams and twelve (12) children’s teams. Meanwhile, a sponsorship of K10, 000 was presented to the EPC committee from a representative from the member for Esa’ala and Minister for Petrolum’s office Jimmy Maladina. Siguyaru said, the other elected members have pledged their support but due to other pressing issues, they were not able to attend the opening. He said, since EPC’s inception in 1978 by the likes of the late Noel Bukoya, Hudson Arek from Wanigela, late Sigamate, late Napolean Leosi and a few others, EPC has been seen as an offseason tournament where the people of Milne Bay come together at the end of the year to play soccer and showcase their skills and talents, but as the current president, Siguyaru intends to change the idea of people waiting till the end of the year to take part in a soccer tournament. “I have good intentions, and I want things to change. I want us to take Milne Bay to the next level. Our theme for this year is ‘Embracing Change, Moving Forward.’ For us to move forward, the executive has plans to look at the constitution so that EPC becomes an entity of Milne Bay that does not include the whole Eastern Papua as a whole which includes Central-Amazon Bay, Northern Province and, to Wanigela.” He said once the constitution is looked at, there are plans to change the EPC name, turn EPC into a proper sporting body like PMSA & NSL and not an offseason tournament. Siguyaru said that from this pathway they want to scout and groom players from different clubs to make the NSL team for Milne Bay. Siguyaru also mentioned that they are planning to kick start an academy and appealed to all parents and guardians to support these initiatives. He also appealed to all team managers to support the EPC team to run a smooth soccer tournament for everyone taking part and wished them the best in their tournament. He further stated that anyone caught breaching the tournament rules will be dealt with accordingly.