CTPM retain open men’s title

Sam Hoki dives in to score a try for CTPM during the NTC Open Mens finals against NCD at Bisini Park *(NBC News-Jamie Haro)*

The Corporate Touch Port Moresby Open Men’s Team (CTPM) have retained their national title after defeating NCD Touch at the Bisini Park.

The national touch championships finals matches were played today to conclude this year’s edition in Port Moresby as host CTPM scooped up three of seven national titles.

After missing out in the finals last year in Lae, Morobe, the CTPM Open Men’s made a comeback retaining their open Mens title at this year’s championship.

This year’s team consisted of both veterans and fresh talents to the mix as they went on undefeated in all their pool matches and finals before the big game against NCD.

PNG elite and CTPM co-captain Kele Lessy said despite a strong match against NCD, their team gave their all to finish the tournament on top.

“It was a touch match for us but we held on tightly in defense and scored the final try to secure the title,” Lessy said.

It was a strong contest for the host team as NCD matched up to the same tune to put a fast-paced match at the Bisini Park.

Despite efforts made, CTPM’s Freddy Gelam cruised past NCD’s defense to score the winning try at full time to break the 5-all draw.

Team CTPM Open Mens after defeating NCD 6-5 at the 2026 NTC Grandfinal in Port Moresby *(NBC News-Jamie Haro)*

Footy veteran and Co-captain Eugene Eka said this year’s tournament had a lot of intensity coming from all teams however it was up to them to keep their pace up to retain the title.
“We finished in the Open Mens semi-finals at the last year’s champs in Morobe but this year was a comeback for us. But it has also been really tough throughout the championship, it wasn’t easy competing against the other teams.

“This sport has grown as we saw the level of competitiveness brought in by the other associations and their teams, it shows that the code in growing,” he said.

Meanwhile, CTPM also defended their back-to-back titles from last year in the Open Mix and Junior U20 Boys division.

In the womens matches, Owan Touch Association dominated taking out the Junior U20 Girls, Open Womens and Senior Womens national titles while Kainantu Gateway Touch secured the Senior Mens title, all representing Eastern Highlands. The Senior Mix title was won by NCD over Gateway Touch.

Following the conclusion of the championships, Touch Federation PNG is expected to announce the next phase of its regional and national sanctioned tournaments in due time.