Alotau plays host to championships

By LESLIE OMARO
MILNE Bay’s provincial capital Alotau will be the hub of volleyball when the National Volleyball Championships gets under way in October.
Papua New Guinea Volleyball Federation president Turaho Morea confirmed the national open and Under-21 championships will be staged from Oct 19-21.
Turaho said all interested associations had been asked to register their participation with him on 7226 3373.
“Associations are reminded of the federations affiliation of K1,000 for new associations and K700 for member associations,” Morea said.
He said more associations would field teams in the open men’s, open women’s, U21 men’s and U21 women’s competitions.
Morea said the championships would be jointly hosted by the PNGVF and Alotau Volleyball Association (AVA).
“Tournament fee is K100 per team.”
 “Affiliation fee deadline is Aug 31 and tournament fee deadline is Sept 21,” Morea said.
He said contact details for AVA for accommodation, transport and other information would be provided soon.
The Vabukori Volleyball Association (VAVA), which has been holding the open men’s title for eight consecutive years, will be on red alert against foes Tatana Ararira Volleyball Association (TAVA).
TAVA have met VAVA in the last two open men’s championships in Lae and Port Moresby but lost.
In the open women’s, VAVA will try to make it back-to-back premierships after taking the title last year in Port Moresby after a gruesome battle with Morobe Huon.
Huon are no pushover and will be back to prove that when they try to wrestle the title off the Vabukori women.
In the U21 competition, upcoming stars from all associations will be out to prove they too have what it takes for international duties and why they should line up in our national colours when the Pacific Games comes to the country in 2015, where Papua New Guinea plays hosts.