Committee to deliver U18 Oceania Hockey Championships

By ISAAC LIRI
A local organising committee for the Under-18 Oceania Hockey Championships was established and launched in Port Moresby yesterday.
The committee, chaired by Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation’s Thomas Kahai, is preparing the venue for the event on April 25-28. “We are here ensure the venue is ready,” Kahai said.
“There are areas in the venue that we will look after which include field of play, sitting areas and the surrounding areas.
“It’s a huge responsibility running an event like this.
“The protocols we will follow are similar to that of the 2015 Pacific Games.
“We will have to work closely with all partners to meet the requirement set by the Oceania Hockey Federation which is to have the venue suitable and safe.
“In terms of the field of play, we are satisfied and we acknowledge the Port Moresby Hockey Association for providing volunteers.”
Kahai appealed for corporate support to ensure the event was successful. The National Capital District Commission committed K100,000 for the tournament.
The commission will also cater for the opening ceremony and transport.
Vitis Industries will be the official water supplier of the tournament.
Meanwhile, PNG Hockey Federation president Kaluwin Potuan said the tournament will also be promoting hockey 5s. The game’s shorter format was used in the 2015 Pacific Games.
Unlike regular hockey, the 5s format involves nine players on each side, with five on the field and four reserves.
The 5s game is split into three quarters, with each lasting 10 minutes.