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Sports |
Softball set for Kavieng
By WENDY KATUSELE
THE Papua New Guinea Softball
Federation will witness its biggest ever number of participating
teams at next weekend’s national championships in Kavieng.
An excited PNGSF president Chris Bais said yesterday that the
annual sanctioned tournament has attracted 20 men’s team and 11
women’s teams from 8 centres around the country which would see a
top feast of class softball during the April 6-9 event as players
also vie for spots in the final national mens and womens team for
the Pacific games in Apia, Samoa, in August.
“It is the biggest number of teams and it is a strong showing of
positive things to come especially with the interest of affiliates
especially at this 31st championships,” Bais said.
With the local provincial government’s financial backing of
K30,000 all is set to go as the Bilas Peles town play host to the
visiting teams including dominative centres like Lae, Madang and
Port Moresby.
The return by host Kavieng and Rabaul back to the scene at last
year’s championships in Madang has surely added flare to their
mission this year are sure to give their much more fancied
opponents a run for their money.
Bais confirmed that 30 men’s teams include host Kavieng fielding
three teams with one a development side, Lae (2), Madang (2),
Lihir (2), Kara Nalik (2), Kokopo (2), Rabaul (2), Tomadir (2),
Port Moresby and Vudal.
Bais said that Tomadir and Vudal who have indicated their interest
have not confirmed yet but have been put down in the tentative
draw.
Mt Hagen, Popondetta, Tabubil and Ramu will not participate this
four day tournament.
The large number of teams this year has resulted in organizers
coming up with four pools while the women’s have two pools.
Pool A: Defending champions Madang Kings, Kavieng 3, Rabaul 1 and
Kokopo 1.
In pool B, Tomadir 1, Kavieng 2, Rabaul 2, Lihir 1 and Kokopo 2.
Pool C: Port Moresby, Kara Nalik 1, Madang Fox, Lae Gold, Tomadir
2 while in pool D Lae Red, Kavieng 1, Vudal, Kara Nalik 2 and
Lihir 2.
The women’s teams are Kavieng and Lae with two teams, Madang,
Kokopo, Kara Nalik, Lihir, Rabaul, Tomadir and Port Moresby.
Defending champions Lae Red have been slotted into pool A with
challenge coming from Madang, Kokopo, Kavieng 2 and Rabaul while
in pool B Port Moresby face Tomadir, Lihir, Kara Nalik, Lae Gold
and Kavieng 1.
Meanwhile, Bais has thanked the New Ireland provincial government
and governor Ian Ling-Stuckey for their financial backing. The
tournament will be officially opened by patron and Treasurer Sir
Rabbie Namaliu on Saturday, April 8.
 
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