97 teams vie for Central honours

 By HENRY MORABANG
NINETY-seven teams from 33 villages in Central will converge on Rita Flynn Complex for the 43rd Central Netball Association Championships today.
Association president Iammo Launa said the tournament will be the biggest staged since she took office three years ago.
The three-day championships will be used by selectors to pick teams to represent Central at the nationals in September and the PNG Games in November.
Launa said Central netball teams had always been competitive besides city strongholds Port Moresby and Lae. She said she was grateful for the support from  the Central provincial government, Lae Biscuit Company and the PNG Sports Foundation.
The championships are a seniors competition, with A grade, B grade and Master teams competing for the top CNA honours.
Launa said the Junior Central Netball Championships held last month at Boera village.
She said the association was privileged as it would host the Singapore national team, who will play the PNG U21, in the curtain-raiser for the grand final on Friday.
PNG Netball Federation treasurer Diane Kila, who is assisting organise the event, said teams would come from Rigo and Abau.
Abau teams: Maopa, Paramana, Gaivakala, Keleana, Pelagai, Wairavanua, Kelekapana, Domara, Baramata, Cocolands, Upulima, Moreguina, Kapari, Viriolo, Meitha, Lalaura.
Rigo teams:  Hula, Makerupu, Kamali, Papaka, Galomarubu, Kaparoko, Kalo, Bonanamo, Kemabolo, Gamoga, Gabone, Gomore, Kwalimurubu, Babaga, Saroa, Gidobada, Kwikila, Boregaina, Karekodobu, Kware, Seba, Matairuka, Sivitatana, Kore, Mamalo, Kwaipo, Koulupu, Mole, Matanatou, Keapara, Karawa and Alukuni.