By JAMES KILA
PNG’s star female striker Ara Midi has been named to lead Goroka in the Highlands regional soccer championships next May.
Midi and other women players have been named in a train-on squad announced last Sunday after the grand final of the Goroka Soccer Association.
The squad will be preparing for the Highlands regional soccer championship as well as other national tournaments sanctioned by the PNG Football Association.
The no-nonsense Eastern Highlander contributed immensely to PNG snatching gold in women soccer final at the Samoa Pacific Games with her goals upon her entry into the dying stages of the final.
Notably, Midi’s entry resurrected the PNG girls when she booted home the equalising goal and later assisted in setting another for PNG girls to clinch victory.
Midi, is currently attending camp at the PNG Football Association academy in Lae for the Oceania Women’s Confederation championship against New Zealand along with other Goroka female product CATHY AGUNAM
The Goroka women train-on squad is Midi, Kisae Pondros, Ruth Tonny, Cynthia Pasura, Enna Sona, Winnie Bell, Janet Tutu (Chauka), Sera Wepsy, Franco Petrus, Georgina Western, Lucy Kokao (Cross Road), Bethany Supa, Karia Philip, Ruth Enoch, Margaret Hamora, Nelly Jacob, Joyce Jonathan, Nancy Sapaua, Kay Angaua, Becky George, Vicky Kuso, Virginia Simon, Maggie, Agatha Joppa, Josepha Koimbu (Guria) and Miriam Naikabam (Blue Kumuls).
The train-on squad for Goroka mens is: Dominic Mark, Joshua Agunam, Lesley Maiwan, Philip Maino, John Naikabam, Sylvester Amo, Robin Pondikou, Jacob Masing (Blue Kumuls), Gordon Toa, Kingsley Maino, Andy Bongki, Amos Waram, Mathew Robin, Roger Miamba, Lapule Yuasi (Guria), Mairi Noni, Mathew Brulante, Kanawi Wanma (Chauka), Joseph Mome, Jeffrey Kanamba, Iggy Talania, George Som (Cross Road), Davis Eluh, Luke Sohano, Roger Adams, Vienu, Eliuda Angama (PNG Power), David Fera, Andrew and Gerard Lashel (PNG Power).
Vice-president of the Goroka Soccer Association, Ida None, emphasized that the team is just a train-on squad and will be trimmed down later.
He also pointed out that training will start in January next year and the association officials will be keeping their eyes open regarding conduct of players on and off the field.