Confederation announces plan, calendar

THE Papua New Guinea Baseball Softball Confederation has announced its 2021-2025 corporate plan and annual calendar.
The plan covers major aspects of the game, including programmes for schools and junior development, technical officials, game growth, throughout the country.
It also cover the engagement of a partner for facilities development, starting with Bisini Softball Park.
The identification and appointment of a development officer, with assistance from selected senior and former players, will drive many of these programmes for the benefit of associations throughout the country.
As part of the plan, in 2021, the development officer will visit selected associations in the four regions of the country to assess competition levels, facilities, technical officials and assist local associations to grow the game.
Also in 2021, the first batch of senior and former players (10 women and 20 men) will go through a mentoring programme to enable them to progress towards becoming scorers and umpires.
Some of these officials will feature in the national softball championships in Kavieng and other tournaments.
The pilot schools programme will begin in the National Capital District and Central in 2021 with more than 50 school visits, targeting the baseball fives concept to coincide with physical education.
The 2021 calendar will now include the introduction of two new concepts of the game that will certainly add a new dimension to softball fans and players throughout the country.
These are the baseball fives and money ball concepts which are being played in many parts of the world.
The baseball fives concept is played in competitions and as a recreational activity, targeting schools and the corporate sector.
The money ball concept, which is popular in Australia, was launched in Port Moresby in 2019 with the first tournament hosted by the Port Moresby Giants.
The concept will enable teams to compete outside of their regular competitions over a weekend of competition for various incentives.
The 45th national softball championships will be hosted by the Buluminski Softball Association from June 4-7 during the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Other 2021 events include a national money ball tournament (Port Moresby, Sept 16-19) and the Oct 30 annual general meeting in the nation’s capital.
“Other international qualifying games for the national men’s, women’s and Under-23 teams will be announced later once borders start to open,” the confederation said in a statement on Tuesday.
“On the international scene, the confederation will be sending the men’s and women’s national teams to the 2022 Asia Games in Hangzhou, China, and the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
“Planning has commenced with the PNG Olympic Committee to prepare our teams.
“Therefore, all associations are encouraged to work with the confederation to ensure players and former players have access to some of these activities.”