Code hopping a success for former junior sprinter

By KYMLIE KARANI
FORMER national junior sprinter, Nadia Bais has dumped athletics for softball.
Bais, the daughter of former Papua New Guinea men’s softball representative Chris Bais, now has greater interest in her new code.
The former 100m and 200m sprinter represented the country at the World Junior Championships in Beijing in 2006.
She took part in the 4x100m relay, teaming up with Pacific Games sprint queen Toea Wisil.
Bais was selected to take part in the 2011 Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia, but could not travel because of work commitments.
“In athletics, we had to train seven days a week. That really affected my work.”
“It was hectic, so I decided to just stick with softball,” she said.
The 23-year-old yesterday said softball had always been her dream.
“I grew up at the softball diamonds. My mum, dad and my brothers Robert and Constantine all played softball,” she said.
“Maybe that’s why I fell in love with the sport.”
The New Ireland lass started playing softball at age 10.
She played for the Under-15 junior team at the age of 12, moved up to the B grade and then made her appearance in the A grade when she was 16-years-old.
She said leaving athletics was hard but she knew she was happy with her new direction.
“Although I love running, I feel that I’m happy where I am now,” she said.
Bais plays for  the Bears women’s club in the Port Moresby Women’s Softball competition.
Since her switch, she has represented the Port Moresby side in the 2008 and 2009 National Softball Championships in Madang where they defeated defending champs Lae Manalos in the cup finals, the 2010 National Championships in Kokopo and the 2012 National Championships in Madang where they claimed the title again.
The 2013 National Championships will be held in Kavieng and Bais is looking forward to playing alongside Port Moresby’s top softball players.
“The Port Moresby women’s competition is so very competitive at the moment,” she said.
“The inclusion of new team, Wolves has increased the number of teams. I applaud the executives for such an awesome job they’re doing in trying to promote the sport by trying to get more women interested to play softball,” Bais said.
Bais helps train her B graders.
“I think I love doing what I love doing. It’s about giving back what you know that can be an impact on others.
“At some point, the B graders will move up to take our spots in A grade and by helping them, the stronger team we have.”
She is now looking at the 2015 Pacific Games and hopes to represent the country in softball.
“I’m sure there’s many women out there who have the talent and skills because we have seen some of them play in the town comp.
“Within two years before Pacific Games, I am looking forward to playing among great softballers,” she said.