Wewak-based PNG women footballers complete programme

By PATRICIA KEAMO
WEWAK-BASED players in the women’s national football train-on-squad have ended a four-week training programme at Sir Michael Somare Stadium on Monday, according to an official.
They are now awaiting further instructions from the Papua New Guinea Football Association.
The seven players were selected from Women’s National Soccer League rookies Sepik as part of an 80-man train-on squad in preparation for next year’s Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Nations Cup.
Coach Gorden Torovu told The National yesterday that Sepik were aiming for at least four of their players to be included in the national team.
“Initially, we had two training sessions per week before association technical officer Margaret Aka sent us the programme for five weeks,” he said.
“Since Nov 8, we’ve had three sessions a week and their progress has been good.
“We had eight players selected in the train-on-squad, but one (Kesiah Kotome) is based in Lae.
“So I’ve been training the seven Wewak-based players.
“Initially, their progress was slow and challenging.
“However, they managed to finish in better shape last week.” The Wewak-based players are Gloria Balamus, Jillian Bai, Sharlyn Jagi, Sharmalyn Krake, Juaneth Mistera, Phornica Nere and Bridgit Paime.
“We are awaiting advice from the association on what to do next,” Torovu said.
“Otherwise, we’ll keep training, but increase our sessions to four per week.
“We were told that there would be training camps similar to those of the men’s national squad, but we have not been advised yet on the time or venue.”
Torovu said Sepik finished second in the Northern Conference earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the rest of the women’s squad have been training in Port Moresby, Lae and Madang under local coaches while awaiting the association to announce their new head coach.