Keen Pala shooting her way into PNG Pepes

By PHOEBE GWANGILO
IN some families, sports is a trait which comes naturally; although one can be new in the game, he or she develops the skills quickly.
Edna Pala, 19, who is now playing in the Oceania World Youth Cup Qualifying tournament in Auckland, New Zealand,  with the PNG Under-21 team, is an example.
Pala, from a mixed parentage of Gulf and Central, had a feel of netball at the age of eight when she was playing in her school team.
As a child growing up, her interest spread among other sports as she lived up to her love for sports.
Unlike her elder sisters and mom Weka, who umpires in international tournaments, Pala wasn’t that good in the court while playing for Snax Mermaids in the C grade of the Port Moresby Netball Association between the ages of 12 and 15.
The young lass received criticism from her elder siblings and her mother, which she took as challenges.
She then grew determined to be the best in netball and dropped other interests, including education after Grade 8.
She believed in her ability; that she could make a living through sports, which was her strength.
Like education, sports disciplined Pala as she strived for her goal to be in the Pepes.
“My motto is strive for success and never give up.”
In 2012, at the age of 15, Pala improved to B grade in her club, where she played for the U17s.
In 2013, she was selected under the Port Moresby Netball Association (POMNA) to play in West New Britain, where she was selected for the development squad.
In 2014, at the age of 17, Pala moved to across to Mona, a new club in the POMNA, where she played for B Grade, while her elder sister Lois played in the A grade.
Her outstanding performance paved the way for her into the Mona premier grade, which she skippered.
Pala plays in two different competitions every Saturday.
She plays in the POMNA and the Private Companies Netball Association for Johnston’s Pharmacy.
Apart from the weekend matches, Pala attends training for the try-out development squad from Monday to Friday.
“I have no free time to rest, I have been undergoing this training for three years six months and finally made it to the top 12 for the U21 team.
“It is a dream come true for me,” Pala said.
Hard work and commitment have paid well for her as she is not only in the U21 squad but also in the senior Pepes.
Pala is also the first from the Mona club to make it into the PNG netball squad.
She is grateful to those who have been very supportive and encouraging her to make it this far.