Two women fighters for Aust tourney

 TWO women are among six fighters who will be attending the Australian championships in Sydney next month.

The PNG Karate Association, who is organising the trip, has also named a competitive 26-man development squad.

In a lead-up to various international tournaments, they will be undergoing intensive training in Lae starting next week.

Senior instructors, Sensei Rickson Mekere, who is one of the fighters, said the development squad would start training in Lae next Monday before a final squad was named to attend the Australian championship next month.

The Australian karate tournament is a two-day event set for Feb 5-6.

The development squad: Rickson Mekere, Paul Taita, John Ali, James Gaup, Siviri Matus, Manu Mekere, Kennedy Abua, John Idua, Bare Able, John Wata, Emil Golupau, Simon Aki (Lae), Julius Piku, Nigel Bana (Port Moresby), Timothy Aloware (Goroka), Robert Kendrew, Moses Tomat (Manus), Gisa Misseck (Wau), Solomon Bodo ( Wewak) and Rocky (Popondetta).