The Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG) has selected 34 players from the ongoing league to form the nucleus of the two elite men's pathway teams, Team GIWA-Mc­Neil XIII and Team SAFI XIII.The two teams would vie for the prestigious 2025 Origins Cup, scheduled for October 19 and November 2, at the University of Ghana rugby pitch.The two teams were named after the founders of RLFG, Giwa-McNeils and Remond Safi.This year, they will compete in a two-game series that will be used to select players for the national team, the Leop­ards, ahead of upcoming international assignments.According to the Technical Director of RLFG, Mr Marshall Nortey, selection was based on individual statistics, game impact, and overall performance in the RLFG 13s Championship."Players must continue to earn their place through commitment and excel­lence in the second round, which is slated to begin on July 27.""The Origins Cup is where we identify our next group of Rugby League stars.

It is a platform that mirrors international intensity and gives our athletes a real taste of what national duty demands," Mr Nortey stated.Team GIWA-McNeil, which will be coached by Nasiru Aminu and Ritchie Ross-Forrester, has Akuamoah Boateng Kwasi, Amevor Richard, Annan Jordan, Asare Richard Browne, Asomani Philip, Ayertey Elvis, Bless Mensah, Boadu Kevin, Boadu Leslie, Buabeng Martin Oko, Egyir Michael, Klugey Gideon, Lawson Francis, Nartey David, Oliver Puman, Quist George, and Sackey Brian.Team SAFI, to be coached by Diego Garcia, Elizabeth Adongo, and Stephan Benchimol, is made up of Osman Ab­ugre, Adam Marsuu, Arimiyaw Shariff, Ato Kwamena Cleland, Bright Bawah, Chris Da-Gama, Elikem Kuwornu, Emmanuel Acheampong, George Tetteh, Godfred Aikins, Jonathan Adotey, Julius Kingdom Fiakpornu, Kofi Montchon, Reindorf Nikoi, Riddick Alibah, Tony Tawiah, and William Pearce-Biney.The selected players from both teams took part in their first official training session last Sunday, July 13, marking the beginning of a high-performance jour­ney toward national representation. BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY