Teens aim for representative duties

 By JACK AMI

TWO nineteen-year-olds, Tina Ono and Kemmy Manoni, are determined to represent PNG women’s beach volleyball team to the Mini Pacific Games in September in Wallis Futuna.

Both are students, Ono attends the Hohola Youth Development Centre matriculating at the 11th grade and Manoni, a 10th grader at the Port Moresby Grammar School, but make time available to train and compete every Sunday for a chance to represent the country.

Ono is from Mekeo, Central, and was introduced to volleyball in her village where the sport is very popular. 

Manoni on the other hand originates from the other side of the country, from the Mortlock Islands in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and has been playing for several years.

They have developed a good combination which is crucial in the sport which only requires two members per team.

The duo have gained valuable experience playing for Telikom in the indoor competition and for Fairfax in the regular format for the last four years.

Being in the training squad is a an achievement but the pair still have a task ahead of them being pooled against experienced campaigners in Alice Ito, Jessie Ruga, Cathy Bird and others.

Beach volleyball president John Paliau said the teenagers have a bright future in the sport having shown potential as well as being enthusiastic and keen in meeting standards to be considered for the final squad.

The pair have set their sights on the Mini Games but this is only the first stage of their representative ambitions as the 2015 Pacific Games is also a goal high on their agenda.