Volleyball names Mini Games squads

 By JACK AMI

PNG volleyball men’s nine-time champions Vabukori Amateur Vaolleyball Association dominate the training squad for the Pacific Mini Games in Wallis and Futuna.

The PNG Volleyball Federation headed by Bernard Alu announced the 21-member men’s and 23-member women’s train on squad yesterday.

The squad will be trimmed down before the Mini Games.

VAVA has eight members selected, with PNG skipper Ravu Mahuru, pictured, who will announce his retirement after the 2015 Pacific Games in PNG. 

The lofty smasher said the 2015 Games would be his last and he wanted to lead the PNG men’s team to win the gold medal on home soil and retire in style.  

He has faith in Toovey Kapa, Jeffrey Charlie, Kala Kila, Veupu Kila, Forova Miki, Tau Muri and Eric Itama, who are all responsible for side’s reign in the country. 

NCD has four players in Richard Kila, George David, Veleke Kila and Jason Nauga, while Tatana’s two are Gary Udia and Kato Otio.

The others are John Lausi (Ebco), Noah Banka (Huon), John Raepa (Fairfax), Jeffrey Gima (Alotau), Alu Pei (Hula), Abel Moses (Kiunga) and Charles Maino (PNG Games). 

The men’s coach is Tommy Lui and manager Patrick Morea.

In the women’s Fairfax dominates, with six players in Lois Garena, Jossie Dick, Maino Kopi, Ruth Mirou, Kammy Manon and Leontine Ono. 

Hula has Enny Naleng, Martina Nioko, Delsie and Rebecca, followed by VAVA with Eileen Gima, Manu Kapa, Debbie Tau and Clera Kila. Kiunga has Tania Irau, Yvonne Walo and Marie Nelson. Huon has Lucy Vavine and Uli Noah. While NCD’s Helai Oala and PNG Games Philo Ameisa. 

The women’s coach is John Kombeng.

Paliau said this is to plan, arrange and prepare for training venues and time.

 He added that the Beach volleyball competition will still continue at Ela Beach on Sunday at 10am and the training squad members will be selected soon.