Juniors to leave for Fiji

By JAMIE HARO
THE Papua New Guinea junior tennis team will be departing for Fiji on Saturday to compete in the 2024 West Pacific Regional Championship starting on Monday.
PNG Tennis Association president Barbara Stubbings confirmed that preparations were on track since the final squad was announced following their PNG Junior Tennis Open Championship last month.
“Our Lae juniors arrive on Thursday (today) then we will proceed to host presentation of uniforms to the players by the sponsor Kumul Petroleum,” Stubbings said.
This year’s team will compete in six categories (U12 boys and girls, U14 boys and girls and U16 boys and girls) and would be led by PNG elite player and coach Eddie Mera.
Lae’s representation increased to three with William Thomas debuting in the U14 while John Louie Domalaon (U16) and Cassandra Thomas (U12) make their second WPRC appearances.
Australian-based Colita Hakena will be defending her U14 title at this year’s championship while her younger brother River Jordan will make his debut in the U12 division.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on 2023 Pacific Games bronze medalist Pauline Hyun following her recent achievement in the Solomon Islands.
Hyun will be competing in the U16 division at the Lautoka competition.
PNG Junior Squad: Idau Anne Kaiulo, Rehoni Rumbam, Cassandra Thomas (U12 girls), Andrew Aisi, Thomas Koliwan, River Jordan Hakena (U12 boys); Colita Hakena, Adelaide Mesa (U14 girls), Thomas Hyun, William Thomas (U14 boys); Nepheline Leah, Pauline Hyun (U16 girls); John Louie Domalaon, Dante Kiapen (U16 boys)