Dreams of excelling at Youth Commonwealth Games not realised

Sports

Hopes and dreams of excelling in the sixth edition of the Youth Commonwealth Games in Nassau, Bahamas, did not turn out as expected but it was a great experience, according to Team PNG chef de mission Michael Henao.
The PNG Olympic Committee and the PNG Commonwealth Games Association sent 17 athletes and officials, including the chef de mission, while PNGOC president Sir John Dawanincura wished the team well and challenged them to shine in their respective codes.
Although none of PNG’s athletes won medals, Henao said Team PNG had seen positive results in their respective codes.
In tennis, flag-bearer Mathew Stubbings beat Antigua’s Cardell Williams Jr to progress to the next round.
Stubbings won in straight sets, winning the first set comfortably and then moved on to the second round of the competition.
However, PNG’s young star went down to an Indian opponent who is ranked number one in the youth tennis competition.
In swimming, the youngest of Papua New Guinea’s contingent Ebony Tkatchenko did not make it to the finals of the women’s 100m backstroke.
According to coach Greg Fasala, Tkatchenko has so much potential to do well in future.
In the men’s 200m breaststroke, Ryan Maskelyne swam a personal best, which was also the third fastest, and then to a 100m breaststroke with the fifth fastest time but he did not place in the finals.
In athletics, Lawrence Lamond and Letisha Pukaikia performed well.
Lamond  ran the 200m and  finished seventh with a time of 23.63. Pukaikia  ran the 200m and finished in 26.40. Both missed out on the semis.
In beach volleyball the pair of Damien Aisi and Tonnie Gina wrestled their second game back from Trinidad and Tobago to win with 2 sets to 1 in a solid performance keeping their hopes for the finals alive. They played St Lucia for seventh place and won in two straight sets (21-8 and 21-9) which was a good start and a grand finish for the two young men.
In women’s tennis, Patricia Apisah completed well but did not progress past the second tound.
Henao said the level of support from home had been remarkable and “on the teams behalf I say thank you”.
Team PNG return home tomorrow.