Babona heeds green dream

 By HENRY MORABANG

YOUNG bowler Gariga Babona has finally realised his dream of playing in a Pacific Games after he was named in the men’s squad last week.

But representing the country is not new for the 17-year-old grade 11 student at Port Moresby National High School.

After learning the sport from his father Ganiga and mother Loa Babona at the Defence Force Bowling green, Babona made his debut on the representative scene as the youngest bowler in a senior competition at the 2009 Arafura Games aged 11.

Babona started competing at the age of nine and in the short space of  time, was picked to represent the National Capital District team to Darwin.

The Rigo youngster, who turns 18 two months after the Games, could not hold his excitement at being selected to play in front of his family and friends.

He said he was excited to be part of the bowls team, especially as he was the youngest member.

The talented teenager put his success in the sport down to his willingness to learn its basics, spending  time on the green honing his skills and developing a good temperament for the sport.

A Northern Territory newspaper took notice of Babona’s talent in 2009 with the headline, ‘PNG’s secret weapon’, but the soft-spoken Central local said he tried not to let that kind of talk distract him from performing on the green. Babona will be expected to perform in July and live up to the moniker of ‘PNG’s secret weapon’ and will go head-to-head with teammate Peter Juni for a spot in the singles event.

Coach Willie Steven described Babona as a keen learner who was able pick up coaching tips and apply them to his game, making him a better rounded competitor.

Steven, who has tracked Babona’s progress since he first rolled a ball eight years ago, said he was confident the youngster would give a good account of himself in the heat of battle.

Babona’s first club event was a mixed fours event at the Defence Bowls Club where he partnered his father and mother and Kiliwi Nabo.

Babona said his best victories were; winning the club singles in 2011 and 2013.

These two victories inspired him to be more competitive and take up the challenge of competitive bowls. 

His consistency at the club level saw him representing the Defence club at national tournaments.