Five-a-side format to be used for PNG Games

 By HENRY MORABANG

AS part of the preparation for the PNG Games in November later this year, the PNG Hockey Federation (PNGHF) will conduct a technical workshop for all coaches and umpires.

PNGHF chief Kaluwin Potuan said the two-day workshop would be conducted by Oceania Development Officer Gill Jemming in Port Moresby in July. He said all 10 provinces that took part in the PNG Games in Kokopo, ENB were required to send one coach or one umpire to this important workshop. 

The 10 provinces are East Sepik (Wewak), Madang, Morobe (Lae), Eastern Highlands (Goroka), National Capital District, Manus, New Ireland (Kavieng), East New Britain (Rabaul), West New Britain (Kimbe) and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (Buka).  

The workshop is basically to introduce the International Hockey Federation (IHF) sanctioned five-a side competition which will be used at the PNG Games. 

The same format would also be used during the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

Potuan said the purpose of the workshop has said was to upgrade technical officials of the new format (5-A-side) competition. 

He added the participating teams at the PNG Games would have 10 players, coach and the manager.

“We are basically adopting the changes from 11-a-side to 5-a-side for cost saving measures for PNG Games and also the 2015 Pacific Games,” he said.