Tourney psychs up Northern

 By JACK AMI

NORTHERN (Oro) country netball tournament tips off at the Sangara Primary School Sports oval on Sunday.

Tournament director Mabel Isa confirmed that Sangara, HOPPL, Mumuni, Kokoda, Buna/Sananada and Isivi would compete in the junior and senior division event.

Isa said Hamara, Barevoturu, Kiorota, Gona, Oro Bay and Ilimo were yet to confirm their participations but were likely to join in the last minute.

She said the juniors under-13, 15, 17 and 21 battle out on the day while the seniors A grade, B grade and Masters play on Thursday after the junior grand finals.

Isa said the challenge for the major honours was between arch rivals Sangara and Mumuni, with HOPPL’s inclusion giving them a tough competition. 

She said this event has produced some of the best players for Higaturu LLG who won the Northern provincial Games beating hot favourites Popondetta Urban.

Oro Country Netball Association is an affiliate of PNG Netball Federation and players will be vying for selection to represent OCNA in the National championships in Port Moresby later this year.

She said new raw untapped talents especially in the juniors will be identified in this tourney which has promoted and marketed athletes from the rural level as OCNA’s aims and objectives for development programs in Oro.

Isa said Oro Governor Gary Juffa and Sohe MP Delilah Gore are likely to support the six days event.