Softball national titles attracts 33 centres

THIRTY-three teams have been confirmed to take part in the 36th National Gaming Control Board-sponsored national softball championships in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, over the Easter weekend next month.
The president of PNG Softball Federation Christopher Bais announced this when receiving K60,000 from NGCB as naming right sponsor of the championship last weekend.
Bais also said the 33 confirmed teams from nine centres made it the highest number of teams attending a softball championship.
Lae have nominated five teams (three men’s and two women’s), Port Moresby four (two men’s and two women’s), Goroka (two men’s and two women’s), Madang (two men’s and one women’s), Ramu (two men’s and one women’s) while Kavieng and Popondetta are both sending a men’s and a women’s team.
Popondetta are making a comeback after long absence thanks to Consie Bais whose efforts at reviving softball in the Northern provincial capital has seen it able to send a team.
Bais said, unfortunately the unofficial home of softball, East New Britain, had not responded or made known their intention to send teams to the national championships despite having three softball competitions up and running which include Rabaul, Gazelle (ToMadir) and Kokopo (Sikut).
Bais said defending champions, Port Moresby were mostly likely to face stiff opposition from Lae and Madang.