Improved finish for Team NCD

By LUCY KAPI in Darwin
TEAM NCD this year has done well in this year’s Arafura Games compared to two years ago.
The team in this year’s Arafura has won five gold and three silver in two sports with the rest yet to be completed.
The athletics team won five gold and two silver medals while Gloria Kimbu won a bronze in weightlifting.
More medals are expected for the team before the closing of the games this Sunday.
Kimbu’s teammates have been doing well and were expected to pick up some medals as of last night.
Young weightlifter, Fred Oala, 14, of Hanuabada also won two gold medals in the Arafura youth category in th 56kg division for the snatch and clean and jerk.
Also secured are three bronze medals from the boxing arena by Henry Umings (52kg), Sylvia Kengemar (69kg) and Priscilla Efi (52kg) who all lost their second bouts yesterday.
Junior Kauka (52kg) has won his second bout and will be fighting for gold in the finals today.
Meanwhile, PNGABU boxer Charles Keama lost to Malaysian Muhamad Mohd while NCD’s Jack Willie defeated Macau’s Chi Weng Chong.
The men’s and women’s volleyball teams are doing well and are in the top four and in medal contention.
They are likely to play for medals in the finals tomorrow.
The men’s golf team have been progressing steadily and the finals today will see if they have secured a medal.
“Overall, team NCD has done better this year and we are proud of the athletes’ participation,” chief de mission Kila Dick said.
He thanked the NCDC management, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and corporate sponsors including the National Gaming Control Board, Air Niugini, Hardware Haus and Lae Buscuit for their support towards Team NCD this year.
“Your support has made it possible for our athletes to compete and have achieved a good result this year,” Dick added.