Governor comes to rescue of Oro Country netballers

 THE Oro Country Netball Association’s struggle to attend the National Netball Championships from Sept 23-29 in Port Moresby has been eased.

Northern Governor Gary Juffa assured OCNA that he would support their participation at the tournament to promote, develop and identify untapped talents at the grassroots level leading up to the 2014 PNG Games.

Juffa advised OCNA executives headed by prominent netball administrator Phyllis Deboa Ami to submit her submission to the Oro provincial government and executive council sector chairman for youth and sports Herbert Isemba.

 Juffa said as long as he was governor of Oro he would ensure netball, which is one of the targeted sports for the PNG Games, received provincial government support.

Since coming into office last year, Juffa has has endorsed the province’s moves to enter rugby league and soccer teams into the country’s major competitions – the Digicel Cup and National Soccer League.

Deboa Ami said it would cost the squad an estimated K40,000 for airfares, accommodation and meals. 

So far the OCNA has raised K13,000 through fund raisings and levy fees.

Ami Deboa said getting the assurance from Juffa had boosted the morale and team spirit of the players who are currently training at two locations – Sangara and Mumuni villages.

She said the support was timely as OCNA would not have been able to raise enough money to take the squad to Port Moresby. 

“We thank Governor Juffa for recognising our sport and our team. The support will allow our grassroots players to compete at a high level event which is good preparations for the Higaturu LLG Games, Oro Provincial Games and the 2014 PNG Games in Lae,” Deboa Ami said.

Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister David Arore and Sohe MP Delilah Gore have also indicated that they will assist the rural netballers.

Oro Country will participate in the B grade, Masters, U17 and U15.