Netball PNG names final 15

By HENRY MORABANG
PAPUA New Guinea Pepes squad members Courtney Abel and Jeperth Tulapi were among 15 players named in the national Under-21 side for the World Cup qualifiers.
Botswana will host the World Youth Cup from July 8-16 next year.
Abel, from Alotau, and Tulapi, from the National Capital District, have big game experience, having played for the seniors in international tournaments at home and abroad and their experience would be invaluable for the side when they travel to Auckland, New Zealand, in September.
Netball PNG president Julienne Leka-Maliaki said the team was finalised after the friendly invitational netball challenge between the Singapore U21s and PNG last week.
Leka-Maliaki said Tulapi was an integral part of Pepes coach Unaisi Rokoura’s side and Abel had already played for the Pepes. She said the pair were also teammates on the junior side that represented PNG at the World Youth Netball Championship in Glasgow, Scotland, last year.
She said Tulapi’s experience in the shooting circle while Abel’s skills in the defending ring, would add the quality and temperament the side needed at the qualifiers.
The Netball PNG chief said Abel, who captained the side against Singapore, would likely retain her role, while Tulapi would be the other leader in the team. Maliaki said the women would have to work hard to make the final 12, to be named at the end of August. Pepes head coach Rokoura will take charge of the side with Renagi Mulina assisting and Theresa Isikiel as manager. PNG U21s: Shooters – Rowena Djengozov, Jeperth Tulapi, Naolyn Mahuta, Naomi Langkan, Ravusiro Vali; Mid court – Boio Peter, Eloise Vele, Nona Gamoga, Karolyn Kanapoti, Erica Amos; Defenders – Courtney Abel, Edna Pala, Serena Ovia, Genevieve Ume, Asi Kevau.