Pair win cricket awards

By MARTHA DERUAGE
PNG BARAMUNDIS captain Assad Vala was named player of the year and Lewas all-rounder Pauke Siaka claimed the top female player of the year for 2017 at PNG Cricket annual awards.
Under-19 Garamuts star James Tau Jr earned the the Rarua Dikana medal.
These awards were presented to the players based on their performances last year.
Hanuabada’s Siaka, who is married to Vala, said she was proud to receive recognition for the years she had spent representing the country.
The 32-year-old said it was a motivation to put more effort while playing to qualify for ICC Women’s World cup qualifier in Netherlands.
“I am happy and proud to receive the award, getting recognised for my effort is a morale booster,” Siaka said.
Siaka said she was grateful for having a family, including husband Vala, for supporting her and helping achieve her goals.
She also thanked her coaches, Cricket PNG and the suport staff for the guidance and direction she had been given over a decade of playing for PNG.
The special guest at the gala event were Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, former test and one-day batsman Dean Jones and Australia women’s wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, who each shared their cricket experiences.
The night had sponsors, invited guests, national cricketers who were there reflected on the highlights and how far the sport had come and the progress it was looking to make in the coming months.
Cricket PNG chief executive officer Greg Campbell thanked sponsors for their commitment to the sport saying their investment had been worth it and they were looking to be a truly national sport in the long term.
Campbell also wished the Lewas the best as they look to qualify for the T20 World Cup at next month’s tournament in the Netherlands.