Junior champs start

Sports
Source:
The National,Tuesday July 5th, 2016

 By HENRY MORABANG
NETBALL PNG patron Linda Babao-O’Neill officially opened this year’s National Junior Netball Championships in Port Moresby yesterday.
After a colourful opening ceremony organised by Kamuna Events, Babao-O’Neill said she was honoured to signal the start of the three-day championships.
The tournament attracted 12 teams from Alotau, Kimbe, ENB, Lae,  Kairuku-Hiri, Motu-Koita West, Motu-Koita South, Central, Kavieng, Kimbe,  Jiwaka and Goroka
Netball is the only sport in the country that runs successful junior championships every year in the Under-13, U15, U17 and U21 age categories.
The championship is supported by major sponsor National Gaming Control Board, Vitis Industries and other partners of the women’s sport.
Babao-O’Neill was pleased with the turnout of young girls from across the country, who she hoped would be vying for spots in the PNG Pepes in future.
Port Moresby Netball Association president Roy Mulina welcomed the visiting teams and said that they were the first group of netballers to have access to high-class facilities.
Mulina reminded the players to play strong and show good sportsmanship on the field.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop rounded up the opening ceremony, urging women to be an agent of change after taking part in the junior championships.
She welcomed the netballers, telling them that he wanted to make NCD a safer place for young girls and women. “If young girls and women are safe, then NCD is safe from unwanted elements,” Parkop said. Through hosting major sporting events such as the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup, the governor said he wanted to ensure NCD was a safer place for women.