Dual rep picks rugby

ONE of Papua New Guinea’s top women’s boxer and Pacific Games gold medallist in the 64kg Debbie Koare will not be part of the team PNG boxers preparing for the Commonwealth Games this year in April.
Koare, a dual national represetative, is also a member of the PNG seven’s women’s team, the Palais, made her decision to forgo boxing to commit to rugby sevens.
She will be part of the Palais team traveling to the Hongkong sevens (April 6-8) which is the same time that the Commonwealth Games (April 4-15) will be on.
“I spoke with PNG Boxing Union about my commitments to rugby sevens and work commitments so I decided drop the boxing training camp,” Kaore said.
“I will just stick to rugby union now and after seeing the full eight-week programme for boxing, I had to make a call that was best for me,” she added.
PNG Boxing Union official Dr Gideon Kendino said Koare’s decision was respected as an athlete who represents PNG in two sporting codes.
“Because she has been playing rugby, she weighed over 75kg but for boxing she is required to fight in the 69kg so she will not be available for the Commonwealth Games,” Dr Kendino said.
But apart from that she is interested in taking part in the Kokoda challenge where PNG boxers will be taking on state champions from New South Wales.
“Last year we went down to Sydney to take part in this event and this year they will come to PNG and we will host it next month (March 10),” Dr Kendino said.
“NSW boxers will be coming up with 10 male boxers and six female boxers so Debbie could well take part in the 75kg female division,” Dr Kendino said.
The four boxers that will represent PNG in the Commonwealth Games are Charlie Keama, Thadius Katua, John Ume and Laisani Soma (women’s) will be utilising the Kokoda challenge as their lead-up tournament to the Commonwealth Games.
Koare’s boxing career is not over as PNGBU still has a shortage of talented and experienced female boxers to help PNG maintain its standing in the Pacific region.