Milne Bay youngster Singi loves team sport

Sports

NATIONAL Under-19 men’s cricket team all-rounder Katenalaki Singi says he loves cricket “because it’s not a one-person game”.
“It’s a team game, so you get to know each other,” the 18-year-old said.
Singi loves that he gets to meet others who enjoy playing cricket and share a friendship.
The youngster is a product of the Bank South Pacific Financial Limited Group’s School Kriket programme where he began his cricket journey that has seen him make the Pacific International Hospital-sponsored Garamuts for this month’s World Cup in the West Indies.
Playing since he was 11 years old, Singi said he joined his local cricket club in Alotau.
He said he enjoyed it so much he was willing to leave his home province to represent Papua New Guinea.
From Milne Bay, Singi said this would be his first time leaving the country.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said.
But adds he is also a little nervous, understandably.
Now joining the U19s for their World Cup tour, Singi said the team were preparing well for the West Indies.
He and his teammates are getting the much-needed support and encouragement from their seniors from the Kumul Petroleum PNG Barramundis, who recently returned from the Men’s Twenty-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Singi is getting great constructive batting tips from them.
Right now, he always has “Love Ana” from Junior Viginuts on his playlist before heading out for training or lead-up games.
And being away from home, one of the things Singi will be missing apart from family is his favourite food, yam.
He is eagerly preparing for the World Cup.
When asked what he would like to take from his first match representing PNG, he said: “I’m looking forward to playing with my teammates, giving our best and making our country proud.
“Thank you to my teammates, family and the country for your support going into the World Cup.”
Fixtures: Tues, Jan 11 – PNG v United Arab Emirates; Thurs, Jan 13 – PNG v England (warm-up matches); Sun, Jan 16 – PNG v Pakistan; Wed, Jan 19 – PNG v Afghanistan; Fri, Jan 21 – PNG v Zimbabwe.