Northern athletics gets on track

A total of 112 athletes were earmarked for selection during the Northern provincial athletics tournament last December.
From the athletes named, an elite and a development squad will be finalised depending on training commitment, discipline and attendance at trials.
Two trials have been conducted, with the final set to be staged on Saturday.
Training programmes have been run by coach Rachel Yaga for participating clubs’ team managers and coaches as a majority of the squad were students.
Athletics Oro president Colin Otoha was impressed with the support of parents and teachers for helping revive the code in the province.
Technical and vocation education training centres in the province have  expressed their interest to join the association.
Last year saw teams from St Thomas Primary School, St James Elementary-Primary School, Saiho Elementary School, Agenahambo Elementary School, Martyrs Secondary School, Kokoda Hunjara, TUSA, Soputa, Popondetta Primary School and Urban Cyclone from Popondetta urban competing.
The host teams were Resurrection Primary School, Bethel Elementary School, Popondetta Primary School and Popondetta Secondary School.
“After the final time trials this Saturday, an elite squad will be named for the National Athletics Championships in Lae from June 10-12,” Otoha said. “The development squad will travel to the Southern regional championships in September.