PNG athletes to compete

By JAMIE HARO
THREE Papua New Guinea para-badminton athletes will compete in the 2024 Australian National Para-Badminton Championships in Altona North, Victoria.
Regina Edward, David Kaniku and Laho Maiauka are among 38 players who will be representing their badminton clubs in Australia when the two-day championships starts today.
The team, currently led by new team manager Dorna Longbut, departed Port Moresby yesterday to compete in the championships.
The trio will compete in various categories starting today according to their classes.
The para-athletes have experience competing in Australia following their participation in the 2023 Victor Oceania Para-Badminton Championship that was also hosted in Australia last year.
Edward’s fixtures will see her compete in the SL3 (standing) singles combined, the SL3 singles, SL3/SL4/SU5 mixed doubles with teammate Laho Maiauka and the combined standing doubles as she pairs up with Australia’s Amy Dunn.
Meanwhile, 2020 Oceania para-badminton championship silver medalist David Kaniku will compete in the SH6 singles, the SH6 mixed doubles with Amy Dunn, the SL3/SL4/SH6 mixed doubles and the combine standing men’s singles SL4-SH6 categories.
He will also pair up with Australia’s Luke Timothy Missen to compete in the combine standing doubles SH6.
Maiauka on the other hand will compete in his class in the SL4 singles, the SL3/SL4/SU5 mixed doubles with Edward, the combine standing doubles with Australia’s Anthony Koedyk and the combined standing for men’s SL4/SH6 events.
The two-day championship will host a total of 24 events for the 38 players to competing this weekend in Australia.