Choosing squash over netball not an easy call for Meninga

CHOOSING squash over netball was not an easy call for 16-year-old Western Highlander Jemalyn Meninga, who resides in Lae.
After parting ways with netball, Meninga became more devoted to squash that she had to train seven days a week.
Her perseverance in squash has paid off and she is now Lae Squash Club’s top junior athlete.
Meninga’s first tournament in the U19 women’s division was at the Port Moresby Open in July and her second was at the Mt Hagen Open in September.
Last weekend’s Papua New Guinea Squash Open was Meninga’s third tournament.
She defeated all her opponents but fell short in the U19 women’s final, going down 3-1 to Amity Alarcos.
“It was my first time to play in such a big tournament and I was nervous,” Meninga said.
“Even though I lost to Amity, I put up a tough fight against her.
“She deserves the win and I congratulate her for that.”
Known to many as Jema, Meninga has a long way to go in squash.
Meninga’s mother Jenny congratulated her for finishing second at the PNG Squash Open.
Jenny said she was always working hard to raise funds to help her daughter excel in the sport.
“I am just as housewife but I do sales to raise money to sponsor my daughter,” she said.
“I accompanied her to the Mt Hagen Open in September and I followed her to Port Moresby for the PNG Squash Open.
“Win or lose, it doesn’t really matter as long as she made it all the way to the final.
“Jema is my pride and I want to see her excel in the sport she loves.
“I am always here to support my daughter.”