CPNG pushes tournament back following restrictions

By ROBINSON LEKA
CRICKET Papua New Guinea has (CPNG) postponed its Village Mini World Cup tournament to later this month following the enforcement of last week’s ban on public events and gatherings by the National Control Centre.
CPNG game development manager Margaret Sibona told The National that the tournament had been pushed from Sept 30 to Oct 30, pending approval from the centre.
“The Village Mini World Cup has been postponed to a later date due to the month-long lockdown imposed by the centre,” she said.
“We sincerely apologise for the late notice and we will update everyone on the confirmed dates when our programmes and activities return to normal.”
The centre, through its Niupela Pasin unit, has instructed all competitions to observe the month-long ban on gatherings and sporting activities following a spike in Coronavirus Delta variant cases in the country.
Meanwhile, Sibona said the tournament was a build-up for the PNG Barramundis who are preparing for their maiden Twenty-20 World Cup in United Arab Emirates and Oman from Oct 17 to Nov 14.
“There will be 10 Port Moresby Cricket Association teams to compete among themselves to commemorate the Barramundis who will start their World Cup campaign against Oman,” she said.
“The teams have been named after the 2021 World Cup nations and it is scheduled to be a two-day event at Amini Park with villages representing those countries.”