Babona touches gold on Pacific Games debut

 By ISAAC LIRI 

TWENTY-four-year old Bobby Babona made his debut in the Pacific Games for the Papua New Guinea touch football men’s open team and scored gold.

He told The National of the wonderful experience he has had since the competition started and will treasure those moments for the rest of his life. 

“Taking part in such an event is a dream for many sporting people,” he said.

“Doing my part to win gold for my country is the greatest sporting achievement for me so far.

“Playing in front of my home crowd is just fantastic. 

“I am excited as this was my first time and I am sure my team-mates felt the same way too,” Babona said.

When asked about their outstanding performance in speed, conditioning and ball skills displayed all throughout the tournament, the man from Koiari, Central, said that the majority of players in their team have been playing together since 2011.

On and off-field bonding played a major role in their big performances throughout the competition until the very end, when they came from behind to win gold. “We’ve been playing together for three years and we know each other’s style of playing very well.

“When we call a move, everybody knows and just follows.”

Recalling their heart-thumping victory over Samoa in the men’s open grand final on Tuesday, Babona said that it was teamwork that got them to fight to victory in their darkest — yet finest — hour.

“We were down and out.

“We knew they wouldn’t give us an easy win, they were tough but we had a bond which was unique to us — a brotherhood — and with that in mind, we played out our hearts for our families, friends and country,” he said.    

Babona has scored 13 tries in the men’s competition and coach Peter Topp spoke highly of him .

“Babona is a quick thinker, he thinks his way through in every game. He’s got great skills and is an asset to the team,” Topp said.