Port Moresby sends junior contingent to tourney

Sports

PORT Moresby, boasting the biggest netball association in Papua New Guinea, sent a small contingent unlike previous years, to the annual national championships which started yesterday.
President Linda Ligo said: “Whilst we prefer to send a big contingent this year, funding has been a challenge for us.
“Hence, we are focusing on sending only junior teams to participate, with the objective of being considered for the training squad for the regional Under-21 World Youth Cup qualifiers next year.”
She said preparations had been progressing well and their junior players were looking forward to the championships.
“The girls are looking forward to competing at this event but more so, to meet their sisters from other netball associations,” Ligo said.
Port Moresby Netball has suffered a loss in revenue over the last four years, mainly to pay for the use of the netball facilities at the Rita Flynn Courts.
As a result, the association is unable to send a bigger contingent to the championships.
However, Ligo remained optimistic that the financial challenges would be a thing of the past from next year when a memorandum of understanding would be formalised between Netball PNG and the PNG Sports Foundation on the use of the facilities.
She acknowledged Lae Biscuit Company for its support over the last two years and the Treasury Department for backing the association.
She further thanked naming-rights sponsor Newcrest Mining Limited, PNG Air and other sponsors for helping make the championships possible.