Madang hosts softball champs

MADANG will host the national softball championships during the Independence weekend, the PNG Softball Federation announced this week.
With the recent announcement by the Pacific Games Council to award the 2019 PG to Samoa, the PNG Softball Federation will use the championships as a yardstick to commence the selection process and identify players who can be groomed over the coming months to represent the country.
A key part of softball’s popularity is the universality of the sport.  It offers an accessible route for young people all over the world to play and stay in sport.
The national federation is looking forward to seeing smaller associations participating at the national scene.
“We congratulate Ramu, Poliamba, Oro and Wewak for their commitment to send their clubs to this year’s championships,” federaton president Ralph Tarasomo said in a media statement on Monday.
Regular centres Port Moresby, Lae, Buluminski, Mt Hagen, Kokopo and host Madang will feature during the three–day event with dark horse Buluminski Baywatchers Softball Club eyeing the ultimate title.
All clubs are advised to be in Madang by Sept 14.
Games start on Friday (Sept  15) and end on Sunday (Sept 17).
Clubs are advised to ensure that all playing T-shirts must have numbers printed clearly to be consistent with the dress codes standards.
Club managers are advised not to approach players from other clubs as the ground rules on players eligibility are very clear, Tarasomo said.
The final deadline for club registration is on Friday.
Clubs that are yet to register are asked to do so immediately, the president said.
A full detail on the sponsorship package and prize money will be announced by the end of the week after the official launch.
A total of 20 technical officials will be assisting with the delivery of the games with umpire–in–chief Peter Chalapan nominated as the tournament director and Penni Tonga as the chief statistician.