PNG eyes upset at Oceania world series

By KEVIN TEME
PAPUA New Guinea men’s softball team are confident of causing a major upset at the Oceania qualifying regional world series in Canberra early next year.
After finishing third in the last regional World Series in 2008, behind New Zealand and Australia, the PNG Steamships Langarons are hopeful of cruising past  the Kiwis and Aussies.   
Yesterday, Steamships Trading Company (STC) injected K75,000 in the series, and also won the naming rights.
PNG, Australia and Samoa will be battling for qualification in a round-robin format, which would see two advancing to the world series in New Zealand next year.
However, New Zealand, as the host, gains automatic entry.
The Oceania qualifying regional World Series will be held on Dec 6-7.
STC managing director David Cox said the company was happy to assist the team.
He was also confident that PNG would be one of the two qualifiers for the regional world series in New Zealand next year.
Cox said the Steamships Group of Companies had also supported the PNG Paralympics team and the PNG Rugby 7s.
Cox said he was happy to be associated with the PNG men’s softball team (the PNG Steamships Langarons). The team will leave next Friday.
PNG Softball Federation president Chris Bais thanked STC and its management for the support.
Bais said he was confident PNG would qualify for the world series.
“I am optimistic we will get to the next stage. I would like to thank STC for its support and I am sure the relationship will continue in future,” Bais said.
Bais said New Zealand and Australia were the top two countries in world ranking.
They represented the Oceania region at the world series and Australia came out winners for the first time.
New Zealand were the world champions for the past 12 years and PNG are ranked 15.
“We are confident of progressing to the world series with the top 16 countries competing in New Zealand,” Bais said.
The 17-man side is Britton Zale (Madang), Constantine Bais (Oro), Daniel Malum (Lae), Daneil Tovia (Pom), Demas Tovia (Pom), Dick Bart Jnr (Pom), Hatzel Omai (Lae), Isikel Tovia Jnr (Pom), Joel Peta Jnr (Madang), Mark Simon (Lae), Meli Tarangau (Madang), Ora Gime (Pom), Robert Bais (Pom), Nerius Kua (Pom) and Taki Zale (Madang).
The head coach is Joe Lumaris, the technical official is Peter Chalapan and the support team is Noah Kimi, Ralph Tarasomo, John Keleu and Isikiel Tovia Jr.