Hockey prepares for c’ships

By ISAAC LIRI
THE preparations for Team PNG for the Under-18 Hockey Oceania Championships has begun and a 51-member train-on squad for the male and female teams are in training.
The train-on squad is made up of 22 athletes from Port Moresby, 10 from Lae, two from Madang, three from Kimbe and four from Manus who haven’t been named yet.
Papua New Guinea Hockey president Kaluwin Potuan said the members of the train-on squad have been training in their respective provinces and would travel into camp in Port Moresby this month.
“Prior to their arrival in camp, the rest of the train-on squad will be undergoing strength and conditioning testings with High Performance Sport PNG in Port Moresby,” Kaluwin said.
“After high performance testing and when they enter the camp, only 18 players will make the final squad, nine for the male team and nine for the female team.” The Oceania Championships will also be the qualifier for the next Youth Olympic Games.
U18 train on squad: Male – Raymond Pomaleu (POM), Gerard Terence (POM), Terence Pomaleu (POM), Henry Pomoso (POM), Senau Siski (POM), Ludwick Siski (POM), Michael Matawan (POM), Alois Cholai (POM) Tommy Jnr Tomscol (POM), Tara Natai (Lae), Nickolas Andy (Lae), Ishmael English (Lae), Philip Aisi (Lae), Agi Richard (Lae), Warren Magil (Mad), Lambert Sereo (Mad), Dominic Meli (Kimbe); Female – Theresa Pomaleu (POM), Georgina Bon (POM), Isabelle Koivi (POM), Eileen Solien (POM), Emi Gairo (POM), MajellaPotuan (POM), Rowena Gairo (POM), Davina Illumpui (POM), Mary Salaiau (POM), Alison Choo (POM), Christine Matawan (POM), Emily Taniova (POM), Augusta Poliap (POM), Medeline Aisi (Lae), Molly Dusty (Lae), Christine Banik, Mary Hebei (Lae) Nikita Basse (Lae), Betty Param (Kimbe), Jonila Wangau (Kimbe). Coach (female) – Paula Naron, coach (male) – Osmond Kekesan.