Goroka gets cricket pitch back

CRICKET PNG’s Eastern Highlands division has commenced construction of its first cricket pitch in over 30 years.
A press release from Cricket Haus said the pitch was the first in Goroka since the late 1970s when cricket was played in the Eastern Highlands capital.
The pitch will be located at the National Sports Institute (NSI) and once completed will arguably be the best facility in the highlands region.
It will provide a strong base for cricket through the highlands and will ensure the longevity the game. 
Using funds raised through the visit from former New Zealand international cricketer Simon Doull the pitch gives local Goroka cricketers a place to play all year round.
It will also play host to the Goroka District Cricket Association (GDCA)and a variety of  inter-provincial championships.
The pitch is to be constructed by locally-owned company Red Coco Construction and architect and planner  Peter Hagen is thrilled to be a part of it.
“I’ve always enjoyed cricket, so it’s great to be providing the town with a place for the kids to enjoy a fun, safe game,” Hagen said.
Regional cricket manager for the Eastern Highlands Rupert Warigi was also pleased with prospect of a new pitch in Goroka.
“We have the other pitches in the entire province, but they are all old and falling apart, it’s great we’ve finally secured a new pitch,” he said.
The primary use of the pitch will be for the Goroka district association which gives men, women and juniors the opportunity to play in a structured weekly competition.
It will also be used for school competitions, corporate competitions, training and eventually disability cricket.
“It’s great to have these facilities in the Eastern Highlands.
“We have had strong demand for cricket here but we have never had a place to hold a serious competition –  now we do,” Warigi said.
The Eastern Highlands development team will now be working hard to organise the Goroka district cricket competition for early next year.