Kokopo nominated to host club tournament

 By HENRY MORABANG

EAST New Britain Softball League has won the right to host the 2013 National Club Championships that will coincide with the Independence weekend.

President of PNG Softball Federation Chris Bais yesterday announced ENB League as host and called for nomination and registration fees from eligible clubs to pay before Aug 16 deadline.

The registration fee is set at K500 per team. Teams failing to meet the deadline would be penalised by paying another K100 on top. 

Bai said the eligible centres to send their champion clubs and runners-up were; Lae, Kavieng, Buluminski, Mt Hagen, Melpa (Western Highlands), Ramu, Kimbe, Rabaul Country, Tabubil and Vanimo. 

Host Kokopo would be allowed three teams – which were first, second and third placed teams.

Port Moresby, as the bigger competition, had been given the nod to send four teams. This means the top four teams in last year’s competition would qualify for the national club championship.

The 2013 championship is set to draw a huge turnout of teams from all over the country. It has been a very long time since Kokopo last hosted a national club championship.  

“We also want to inform our softball fraternity that the club championships will be used as another vehicle to continue to search for player’s skills and talents to be part of the 2015 Pacific Games train on squad,” he said.

The softball chief said the 25 men’s and women’s train on squad selected in this year’s 38th National Softball Championships in Kavieng, New Ireland, would be announced shortly by the PNGSF once all criteria were met. 

Meanwhile, the preparation for the championships in East New Britain had already begun.  

PNGSF will be working closely with the hosts to ensure that everything is in order before the games kick off from Friday (Sept 13) to Monday (Sept 16).

Teams are advised to be in Kokopo by Thursday Sept 12th. 

As advised PNGSF is currently working on the sponsorship of the event and once confirmed an announcement will be made. 

All teams are advised to pay fees directly to PNGSF and confirmation on account details can be obtained from  the treasurer Harry Keket.