PNG softball loses sporting icon

Late Jack Pidik.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) sporting community is mourning the passing of softball sporting icon, Jack Pidik.

Pidik, from Matupit in East New Britain (ENB), died peacefully in Cairns on Monday. He is survived by his Australian wife, three children and grandchildren.

The late Jack Pidik has been described as a pioneer in softball after transitioning from baseball and was among the talented players from Matupit who founded the Brown Eagle softball club. He was also in our first team to play in Guam.

During his life, the late Pidik, went on to become a softball administrator and coach. He was behind the emergence of the Gazelle softball club which went on to win 18 grand finals.

In honor of the late Jack Pidik, all softball games this weekend have been cancelled.

PNG karate names train-on squad for 2015 Pacific Games

PNGKF President, Carl Mari

The Papua New Guinea Karate-do Federation (PNGKF) has named the train-on squad in preparation for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby. This includes two teams, A and B, in which athletes selected will have to prove themselves in competition and training to make the final cut.

Team A consists of Gladys Wallace, Vincent Quintin Bougen, Hillary Waswasa, (Bougainville); Gewa Rupa, Miriam Stanley, Lera Kose, Dominic Sipapi, Naorei Joseph, Joseph Smith Jnr, Francis Oa Jnr, Ismael Stanley, Billy Maino Jnr, Jason Kilangit (Central Province); Francis Vigil (ENBP); Eddie Martin, (ESP); Jacklyn Barney, Maryanne Porika, Suwari Matus, (Morobe Province); Doris Karomo, Crystal Mari, Violet Wangihau, Sarah Ande, Annabel Joseph, Joancherrie Revui, Nigel Bana, Sailas Piskaut, Leonard Geriadi, Cosmas Saliawali, Bernard Sinai (NCD); Atomu Amani, (New Ireland); Kevin Duna, (Northern Province); Peace Kaiwa, Romana Asiange, Ernest Nuli, Nick Ngasele, (WNBP).

While Cletus Mason, Rolan Morga (Bougainville); John Kajona, Mckainne Kennedy, Dennis Kopman, Gima Peter, Geita Maraga, Cathy Wilson, Terah Efi, (Central Province); Bathshiba Nogo, Llane Munau, Timothy Alovare (EHP); Joan Abala (ENBP); Manu Mekere, Emil Golopau, Franrich Hura, Randolph Mekere, Sebby Desmond, Sebulon Tamur (Morobe Province); Julius Piku, Owen Gigiro, Jason Carl, Theophil Meta, Andrew Molen, Chris P Molok (NCD); Mosley Taitai (New Ireland); Basil Oriri (Northern Province); and Alois Masusulu (WNBP) make up team B.

President of PNGKF, Carl Mari, also advised the athletes that there are only 31 spots for karate in team PNG and athletes are encouraged to give their best in training and competition to make the final team.

The final team will be announced at the end of April 2014.