Amoa debutant Aisakina embraces challenges

By NATHAN WOTI
UPNG journalism student
NATIONAL women’s volleyball team (Amoa) debutant Antoinette Aisakina says she is embracing the challenges, including criticism, that come with being a representative player.
The team won gold at last weekend’s Australian Neighbourhood Volleyball Challenge in Canberra after going through the tournament unbeaten.
The 28-year-old told The National that although criticism was seen as good motivation for sportsmen and women, sometimes it added more pressure on an individual.
Aisakina said one of the factors that had spurred them to win gold was to silence their critics after being left out of Team Papua New Guinea for the Samoa Pacific Games in July.
“I think people should not be too quick to judge others,” she said. “It is tough as a debutant to represent PNG and play because people always have an opinion of us.
“But having said that, I’m embracing the challenges that come with being a representative player.”
A similar concern was raised earlier this month by Oil Search PNG Orchids coach Bagelo Solien after his side’s opening loss in their two-test series against England.
Prior to their second-test victory on Nov 16, Solien had told his players to shut out any criticism and focus on improving their game.
And it worked a treat as Solien’s charges went on to secure their first international test triumph over England with a 20-16 victory.