By SUSAN OREAPE-FARAPO
THE 25th National volleyball championship has seen a huge decline in the number of participating associations.
Only eight associations have registered for the event scheduled for Oct 19-21 in Port Moresby. Surprisingly, top guns VAVA, NCD, Fairfax and Taikone all Port Moresby based are on the black list as they are yet to pay their fees.
The championship is always held in September during the independence weekend but due to circumstances beyond PNG Volleyball Federation’s (PNGVF) control, it was deferred to this month.
Tournament director, Kila Oli said there has been a drop in the number of associations due to the Pacific games this year. There are only eight centres compared to previous years which we had more than twenty,” Oli said.
He said all attention and preparations were on the Samoa games and there was limited time to prepare for the national games.
“There have been uncertainties but we want to tell everyone that the championship is on,” Oli said.
Registration is still open for those interested and they until Thursday Oct 11 to register with affiliation fee at K700, K100 registration per team.
“Many other associations have shown interest but to date they have not paid their fees,” PNGVF vice president- male, Bernard Alu said.
Alu is quite disappointed with the number of representation especially from other centres and the key associations from NCD.
Despite the big names missing out local associations within NCD and Central province are ready for battle they are: Waima, Kinikele (Cental province), Vanagi and Taurama.
The eight associations are, Kauka, Poreporena, Kinikele (Kamali), Vanagi (Badili), St Pauls (Mekeo), Huon Gulf (Lae), Tabubil and a regional team from Momase.
“We have only two other centre representations this year that are Tabubil and Huon Gulf. “Surely, this is not good enough for volleyball, but PNGVF will not sit down and defer the championship to next year, we will still have the games and next week is confirmed,” he said.
If the defending champions Vabukori (men) and Fairfax (women) make no show teams likely to dominate are Huon Gulf and Momase regional. Debuts Kinikele and Vanagi should give their opponents a run for their money.
The tournament is sure to feature good volleyball skills and should be a very successful event.