Open, U21 volleyball c’ships to go ahead as scheduled: PNGVA

By JACK AMI
PAPUA New Guinea Volleyball Association Incorporated president Kila Dick says the national Under-21 and open championships in Lae from Nov 6-10 will go ahead as planned.
He was responding to a media report which highlighted that the championships were in doubt due to a potential boycott over safety and funding concerns. “There are no law-and-order issues in Lae unless the Government says so,” Dick said.
“Those who are trying to boycott the championships are using excuses because of the cost of travelling to Lae.
“Their plan to boycott will not go ahead and they can stay back. Other centres are interested to participate.
“We have given all the associations one year to plan and attend the championships in Lae so there should be no excuses at all.
“If teams from outside centres can fly to Port Moresby to attend the championships, why not them?
“I want to inform all the volleyball associations in the country that host association Huon Gulf and the PNG Sports Foundation have confirmed that the championships will be played at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium. I’d like to assure everyone that all the matches for the U21s will start on Nov 6 and end with the finals on Nov 8.
“On Nov 8, the open championships will start and end with the finals on Nov 10.”
All the associations will return home by Nov 11. Matches are expected to be played until 10pm every night to ensure that the championships end on Nov 10.