Three centres face off at c’ships

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE New Guinea Hockey Federation is set to host its national championships at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby over the weekend.
Federation secretary Raymond Lapun said the National Capital District, and East and West New Britain would take part in the men’s and women’s divisions.
Lapun said NCD would field three teams while ENB and WNB would field a team each in both divisions.
He said hockey-playing provinces like Morobe, Madang and Manus were not able to field teams due to funding restrictions.
“The national championships are an annual event and we have been hosting it for over thirty years,” Lapun said.
“This event has always showcased hidden talent and has produced quality players. We are excited to host it again this year.
“The PNG men’s and women’s hockey teams winning gold at the Oceania Intercontinental Hockey Fives in Rockhampton, Australia, last week was the result of competitions and tournaments like the national championships.
“We are using it to help youngsters gain experience in playing on world-class hockey turfs.”
Lapun said the federation used to host the championships in different centres in previous years but had stopped in 2015 after the new hockey facilities were built for the Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
He said other provinces didn’t have modern hockey turfs and that was why the federation had been hosting the event in Port Moresby in recent years to improve players’ skill and fitness levels.