Lone highlands junior aims to represent PNG

By JAMIE HARO
GOROKA-based junior tennis player Mark Kerry is determined to work harder and one day represent Papua New Guinea.
The 16-year-old from Henganofi in Eastern Highlands was among 61 entrants who competed in the 2024 PNG Junior Tennis Open (JTO) championship in Port Moresby last weekend.
“Being a lone participant coming from Goroka to compete in this JTO championship meant a lot to me because it is not often you see kids from the highlands region take part in this sport,” Kerry said.
“This was my second JTO appearance and I have improved a lot in my performance compared to my first which was last year.”
Currently attending Goroka Secondary School as a grade 11 student, Kerry made an improvement in this year’s JTO appearance competing in the boys Under-18 division where he finished third.
He competed among top juniors Sugar-Ray Hakena and Christopher Kaiulo who both finished first and second respectively.
“After my first exposure last year, I knew what went wrong with my performance and I went back home, spent more time on the tennis courts in Goroka to improve on my craft,” he said.
“This year’s JTO was tough having to go up against tougher opponents including Sugar-Ray and Christopher Kaiulo who are great athletes.
“They have international experience having represented PNG in big events, but a great challenge for me to push past my breaking point to learn as much as I can.”
Kerry said his aim was making the PNG junior team for 2024 West Pacific Regional Championship in Lautoka, Fiji.
“Regardless of the outcome, I know I have given my best in this JTO and will try my best for the last time as a junior in 2025. It would be great honour to wear the red, black and gold colours in the future.”