PNGSF confirms 16 teams for softball titles

mlipen Normal, Sports

SIXTEEN teams are confirmed to take part in the national softball championships in Kokopo, East New Britain province, over the Easter weekend in April.
With time counting down, the PNG Softball Federation are happy to announce that so far 16 teams are set to compete for the national title over the four-day fast pitch tournament in Kokopo.
PNG Softball Federation vice-president Ralp Tarasomo said the race to the finishing line was set with the following associations, putting their hands up.
The teams are Port Moresby men, Lae, Madang, Kavieng, Tabubil, Lihir, Kara, Buka, Kimbe, Matupit, Sikut, Tomadir, Gazelle, Kokopo, Rabaul Provincial and Port Moresby women.
Tarasomo urged all associations to observe the deadline for registration and affiliation fees.
The battle of pitchers will be an interesting one to watch for the men’s as they have all represented PNG in overseas tournaments and are still playing good softball today.
The likes of Anslom  Bunbun (Lihir), Peter Simon (Lae), Essau Vinarang  (Port Moresby), Danny Tovia (Port Moresby), Meli Taragau (Madang) and Ian Sammy (Kavieng) are just someof the big names.
There are also unknown talents from Kimbe, Buka, Kara, Tabubil and hosts Kokopo who cannot be taken out of the picture.
“We are looking forward to an exciting weekend of great softball. We want to kindly appeal to all business houses to get behind your local teams and associations.
“Your generous donation is a seed planted that you will reap in harvest time. Softball are proud of their achievements over past international tournaments where we have won gold medals for our country,” Tarasomo said.     
With a high level of centres expected to participate, he said the PNGSF would be out in full force to ensure the code of ethics of the games were maintained with special emphasis on players conduct both on-and-off the field.
As the season winds down we appeal to all our players, loyal fans and associations who are gearing up for the finals in the coming weeks to: Play Safe, Play Right and it’s a strike out against HIV/AIDS.