Thirty sides for national softball c’ships

 THIRTY teams have been confirmed for the coming 39th National softball championships in Kokopo next month – one of the biggest ever before the Pacific Games next year.
Senior vice-president Ralph Tarasomo revealed that while the draws had yet to be finalised, 16 men’s and 14 women’s teams have confirmed their participation at the April 17-22 event.
Fourteen affiliates would be represented at the East New Britain tourist and business hub and the message going out was that players  aspiring to represent the country  at next year’s Pacific Games in Port Moresby needed to stake their claims in Kokopo.
Softball is one team sport that is an almost certain gold medal prospect having won gold both in the men’s and the women’s  competitions in the 2009 Samoa Games and this time around they would be defending the title on home soil.
Softball was not included in the last Pacific Games in New Caledonia in 2011 and the national team still holds the tag as the Pacific champions.
Tarasomo said Tabubil had not affiliated and needed to adhere to the federation’s requirements.
He said he was still waiting confirmation from Lae whether they were fielding a second men’s team and once that was done, the draw would be completed.
The men’s teams are Team Radazz, Kokopo, Gazelle, Rabaul, Country Rabaul, Kimbe, Buluminski, Kavieng, Madang, Wewak, Lae all fielding a team each while Port Moresby has three and Mt Hagen two teams.
In the women’s, leading association in the country Port Moresby will send three teams while Team Radazz, Kokopo, Gazelle, Rabaul, Country Rabaul, Kimbe, Buluminsky, Kavieng, Mt Hagen, Wewak and Lae are the other teams.
Tarasomo who has been again appointed tournament director said five diamonds were being erected at the Takubar Sports Ground while the Rabaul Softball Association would host some matches on the first day of competition.
The opening ceremony is on April 19 with one of the province’s MPs expected to officiate.