| Sports |
Lae opts for full exposure in
basketball
By HAIVETA KIVIA
LAE Basketball is
aiming to give as many of its players as possible national
exposure.
This is with the belief that impressive forms would convert into
national selection.
President Timothy Lepa approved the list of names tendered to
him by his selection committee chairman Casey Stafford,
yesterday.
Lepa had earlier said that his executive will give every
opportunity to Lae players to attend the national championships
in Ramu next month.
“In the past we had many differences to sort out with the PNG
Basketball Federation and as a result we did not attend
important championships, and the players were the ones that
suffered,” he had said.
Stafford has named a big training squad which will be eventually
trimmed down to the required number for the Junior Championships
in Lae and the National All Stars tournament in Ramu.
He is currently faced with a dilemma. The fates of two rising
stars, Russell Stafford and Sibona Kala, to play either in the
junior, senior, or both sides are giving him headaches ahead of
final selection list being approved.
Both youngsters are playing beyond their ages, and many say they
are destined for the bright lights.
The senior men’s team is Dean Lamu, Sibona Kala, Gaugari Abong,
Wayne Lucas, Ian Salilum, Joseph Geno, Robin Melepia, Dobin Laka,
Harry Pekaea, Randy, Kevin Teme, Steven Sere, Russell Stafford,
Steven Kamdring, Peter Buala, Rueben Tete, Richard Bogen, Percy
Aaron, Wayne Aaron, Edwin Buala, Oscar Oscar Jr, Elias Kama,
Jackson Bayu, Richard Sova and Lawrence Keone.
The senior women’s squad is Louisa Wallace, Sharon Naru, Miriam
Wallace, Morina Ben, Sharon Tiba, Febe Som, Nellie Yomsop,
Vivian Gawac, Josie Sam, Jenny Magatu, Albina Joumkalop, Evelyn
Busop, Esther Gawac, Dianne Vue, Christine Oscar, Sarah Koi,
Belinda Alingke, Sharon Tumonde, Yaling Watu, Yanam Ahi and
Philipa Joumkalop.
Former PNG junior national coach Male Ngalau has been named the
head coach with Rufus Bayu, the men’s coach and old hand Tom
Jaoukalop in charge of the women
The junior men are Aaron Dagi, Donald Kala, Tutsy Kolis, Mika
Loko, Robert Davis, Jason Likius, Sam Uvao, Yakam Henry, Jason
Paul, Gregory David, Simon Kolis, Darren Balamus, Noah Giali,
Terence Nawas, Ivan Nawas, Sibona Kala, Stafford, Rodrick Gairo
and Gabi.
The Junior women’s sides is Kim Ross, Maxi Michael, Thecla Naru,
Lucy Michael, Martha Saki, Vicky Watch, Philipa Youmkalop, Julie
Geibob, Elanga Mutu, Pamela Jeffery, Vanessa Tiac, Judy Robin,
Regina Ray, Josie Sam, Corah Tommy and Helen Naru.
The head coach for the juniors is Ben Davis with Male Ngalau in
charge of men, Albina Joumkalop and Jack Yakam to coach the
women.
 
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