PNG tops IX Pacific Mini Games medal tally

PNG marching into the Kafika Stadium for the closing ceremony.

Papua New Guinea has topped the medal tally of the IX Pacific Mini Games in Wallis & Futuna after winning 30 gold, 26 silver and 31 bronze medals.

They finished ahead of Tahiti who got 26 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze while New Caledonia came in third with 21 gold, 13 silver and 9 bronze.

It was fair game for all countries but Team PNG proved too strong for her Pacific neighbours as we collected medals in almost all of the eight sports contested. Only rugby 7’s and women’s indoor volleyball missed out after both finished in 4th place.

While most people thought that this was a Team preparing well for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Team PNG Chef de Mission, Mr. Richard Kassman said that their focus was the 2013 Pacific Mini Games and not 2015.

“Our focus is 2013 and not 2015. We came here to compete and win medals at this Game and when 2015 comes, we will focus on 2015,” he said.

He said a medal won at the Pacific Mini Games is a medal and they will give their very best to win them.
When welcoming the Team back to Papua New Guinea on September 14, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said their win had given the country a wonderful present for their independence this year.

He said the country is proud of their achievement and each member of the Team should be proud of their performances as well.

Mr O’Neill also said this is a good start for PNG as they prepare to participate at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and the 2015 Pacific Games which will be hosted in Port Moresby.

“Your efforts at this Games has shown that you can do well in the Pacific but you can also do well at the Commonwealth and Olympic level if you are prepared well for it because nothing is stopping you,” Mr O’Neill said.

President of PNG Olympic Committee, Sir John Dawanicura, thanked the Government for their support to the Team and appealed to the Prime Minister to give more recognition to athletes and officials for their hard work and efforts to international Games.

Source - Sports Garamut (Issue 09) September 2013

PNG Karate Team shows promise

Nigel Bana (in red) competing at the Karate Fiji International Open Championships.

PHOTO: PNG Karate Federation.

The Papua New Guinea KarateTeam has shown promise for the future development of their sport after a classy performance in Fiji this month.

A small squad of PNG Karate athletes returned on Monday 30th September after competing in the Karate Fiji International Open Championships at the weekend.

The four member team comprised of Nigel Bana, Crystal Mari, Bernard Sinai, Quentin Bougen and Sensei Luke Goa as coach.

The championship was held at Yat Sen Hall in Suva.

Nigel won silver in 67kg male kumite and a bronze in Open male kumite. He also competed in kata and finished fifth overall. Crystal won silver in Cadet (14 – 15 years) female kata and a bronze in under 21 years female kumite. Bernard Sinai won a bronze in under 84kg male kumite, whilst Quentin Bougen won silver in under 84kg male kumite and shared the equal third spot with Nigel in the Open Kumite category.

All three male fighters went through the finals in the Open male kumite where Quentin settled for one of the bronze medals whilst the other spot had to be fought between Nigel and Bernard. Nigel edged out Bernard to collect it.

In all, PNG collected three silver and four bronze medals.

The team also attended a kumite seminar at the University of the South Pacific and a technical seminar at Fiji Amateur Sports Association & National Olympic Committee’s Olympic House.

Although the team won medals in this competition, their management admits that Team Karate PNG needs a lot of improvement in order to be a force to be reckoned with come 2015.

The areas which Team Karate PNG needs to work on are in kumite technique which include speed drills, kata kihon which includes focus and breathing, and international exposure.

2014 is the year to test PNG’s chances in splitting the medal haul by traditional leaders New Caledonia and Fiji.

Fiji will host the Oceania Karate Championships in September 2014.

President Carl Mari acknowledges the support from PNG Olympic Committee and the Government of PNG through the Go for Gold program and the following sponsors; Alaba Trading (Mr. Nickson Volele), Dominant Trading Limited (Mr. Yong) and Wanbel Trading (Mr. O.P. Yann) for supporting athlete Quentin Bougen.

Source - Sports Garamut (Issue 09) September 2013

Wamira lass proud to don the red, black and gold jersey again

Meiling Choong

Her name doesn't sound Papua New Guinea, but for 24 year old Meiling Choong, is proud to representing her birth country as she prepares for the Asia-Pacific 7s Championships in Shanghai, China.

Choong’s father is Malaysian and her mother is from Wamira village in Milne Bay and the lass who currently lives in Shenzhen city is eager to don the red, black and gold jersey. However, this is not her first time to become a sporting ambassador for PNG.

Her debut was in 2010 Hong Kong 7s and she has been a member of the Palais since.

Choong was into soccer before joining a women’s rugby union club called the Royal Selangor in Malaysia. She says her athletic side was developed here in the country where she grew up.

PNG national netball team name squad

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) national netball team, Pepes, have named their side for Singapore 6 nations series which includes three debutants namely Jeperth Tulapi, Courtney Abel and Kimberly Alex.

PNG Netball Federation (PNGNF) president, Julianne Leka Maliaki, made the announcement yesterday and said the team consisted of youth and experience.

She said the three debutants were part of the World Youth Championships in Glasgow in August and was happy that the high performance training these girls have undergone is paying off. Meanwhile, veterans Lua Mavara Rikis and Rayleene Andrew have made a return to the squad which should be booster for the younger girls.

Maliaki said the federation was building up and preparing for the 2014 Pacific Netball series with the World Cup qualifier in the Cook Islands, the 2015 World Cup in Sydney, the Pacific Games and the Wold Youth Championships in 2017 in Bostwana.

The team players are: Tiata Baldwin, Malete Roberts, Japeth Tulapi, Rayleene Andrew, Winnie Mavara, Kimberly Rawali, Marinama Maha, Nerrie Adula, Kilala Owen, Lua Mavara Rikis, Susan Wellington and Courtney Abel. Meanwhile, the non-travelling reserves are: Albertine Ehari, Richanda Kassman and Margaret Eka.

The Pepes start training tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Rita Flyn courts in Boroko.

Scots get a taste of Kumul power

Adrian Lam

Scotland got a taste of Kumul power as the Papua New Guinea (PNG) flag bearers flew over them in a 32 – 20 win in the warm up match on Saturday at Featherstone, United Kingdom (UK).

Kumul’s coach, Adrian Lam, said the win will boost the team’s confidence heading into the opening match against France next Saturday. However, they have to cut down on their mistakes and improve.

Meanwhile, United States of America (USA) Tomahawks pulled off a surprise win over fourth ranked France 22 – 18 and Coach Terry Matterson has said it is a real boost for the team.

PNG duo to sign with English super league club, Hull KR

Francis Paniu (left) and Enoch Maki will sign with Hull KR

Two talented Papua New Guinean (PNG) rugby players have been tipped to sign with English super league club, Hull Kingston Rovers.

The duo, Enoch Maki and Francis Paniu, are part of the Kumuls squad and coach Adrian Lam believes the pair would be good enough to play in the NRL. The pair will be featured heavily in upcoming Kumul matches and Hull KR fans will have the opportunity to catch them in action when they take on France at Crave Park on Sunday, October 27.

Maki and Paniu will add on to the PNG players who have broken into English super league. These include John Okul, Stanley Gene, Makali Aizue, Menzie Yere, Jessie Joe Parker and Neville Costigan.

ENB softball pre-season kicks off slow

The pre-season of the East New Britain (ENB) Softball League has kicked off with a slow start. According to vice chairman of the ENB league, Melly Tamlik, competition kicked off last week with only six men and four women’s teams showing up.

He also added that a meeting will be held with interested teams tomorrow (Saturday) at the Takubar sports grandstand at 10am, and that the league is trying to develop the code by introducing the U16 schoolboys competition which started last week.

Tamlik said the league is starting the season early because of its preparation in hosting the National Softball titles next year.

Referee assaulted in women’s rugby league game

The ugly face of violence has once again cropped up in rugby league, but this time in a women’s game in Port Moresby.

According to reports in one of the local dailies, referee Morgan Buka was assaulted by players and officials of the Hekari Tarangaus after awarding a try to the opposing team, Kalvaso Property Management Butterflies on Tuesday

Tarangaus’ coach allegedly punched the referee and then proceeded to kick him while he was on the ground. Another official and player are also implicated in the attack.

Senior Tarangau club officials are upset with the incident and gave assurance that all those involved in the assault would be dealt with accordingly.

The assault warrants and 14 year ban from the code and venue, or a K250 fine or both.