Goroka retain 4s crown

By PATRICIA KEAMO
GOROKA retained the Takuru Fours title at the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Bowling Club at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby on Sunday.
PNGDF has been hosting the bowling tournament for the last 46 years in honour of the first indigenous president of the club, Chief Warrant Officer Ezekiel Takuru.
Reigning champions Goroka, under skipper Paul Fiambawe, battled six other bowling clubs from four provinces to claim the Takuru Cup and K4,200 in prize money.
Fiambawe said his club usually fielded up to six teams in the tournament, but they only managed to field two sides this year due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and other constraints.
“We had to prepare ourselves psychologically to compete,” he said.
“If you’re the reigning champions of any competition or tournament, you’ve got to do anything in your capacity to retain the title.
“Similarly, our aim was to retain the title and that was the motivation in both teams.”
Fiambawe commended his teammates for battling the odds to retain the title.
“Bowling is not about age or whether you’re a champion, it’s about concentrating on the game, delivering your balls right and making it through,” he said.
“I am proud of my team and I commend them for making it happen.”
Meanwhile, PNGDF Bowling Club senior vice-president Orea Boino thanked all the clubs for making the tournament a success.
“This is the 46th year of Takuru Fours and Goroka have retained the title as they’re the best bowlers at the moment,” he said.
“Although Eastern Highlands is a high-risk province for Covid-19, we followed the necessary protocols to clear Goroka to travel in and compete.
“I’d like to thank the PNG Sports Foundation and National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning for giving us approval to host the tournament.”