PNG eyeing World Cup

PAPUA New Guinea is preparing to send mixed, men’s and Under-23 men’s teams to the Mixed and Men’s Netball World Cup in Perth, Australia, on Oct 11.
Organisers of the World Cup have extended the invitation to the PNG Maleo’s (mixed team) following an impressive performance from the team during the Trans Pacific Cup tournament in 2018.
PNG Mixed and Men’s Netball Association (PNGMMNA) president and U23 men’s coach Adam Parker said the country’s World Cup participation would be a big task for teams to be competitive as well as securing funds to send a contingent to Australia.
He said funding would be a challenge.
“It is exciting, however, we will be going up against not only countries from the Pacific like Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australia, but also teams from Asia, South Asia, Africa, Europe, America and South America,” he said.
“This is a ranking tournament as this will be the first time the sport is represented by countries from every corner of the globe and our goal is to finish in the top-four countries in the world.
“It’s a pretty big undertaking to send 50 people to an event and funding is always a challenge for most sports.
“However, we are the only sport that truly promotes and encompasses gender equality and a sport that has massive potential.” The Maleos, under coach Lua Rikis, have been in training for the past six months with the team undergoing court and fitness sessions in the lead-up to a selection trial scheduled in June.