Netball

Pala application refused

http://www.looppng.com/content/pala-application-refused

A five-man Supreme Court bench today refused an application filed by Attorney General Ano Pala asking the higher court to stay three proceedings in the lower courts.

New desalination project for Manus

http://www.looppng.com/content/new-desalination-project-manus

The newly formed PNG Mixed and Men’s Netball Association (PNGMMNA)  is an initiative of the PNG Netball Association to promote and showcase the talented Male & Female Mixed Players of PNG at an international level by providing a dedicated, transparent and supportive association through a well-managed local competition.

The registration for the competition is still open to teams and will close on March 16.

The team made up of female employees, spouses and dependants got a timely moral boost from PNG Customs commissioner Ray Paul yesterday.       

PNG Customs 1 plays NICTA and PNG Customs 2 to challenge NCDC 2 in the preliminary finals of the National Capital District Public Servants Netball competition tomorrow (Saturday).

Senior player Tomon Peter said, the netball competition helps them to socialize and stay fit.

She said as underdogs they surprised their opponents with their final placing in the back end of the season.

The new-look structure which will be released soon, will give rise to equal participation at all levels of the game.

This includes high performing athletes, school age athletes, community and national level participation.

New events will include a national netball league for high performing athletes, national schools program, men’s & mixed netball, fast five netball, junior national titles and senior national titles.

The Pepes finished second at the tournament behind winners Northern Ireland. Six teams took part in the tournament.

“The girls did well despite having only 11 players. The board is very happy with the result which is an improvement from their performance at the last Nations Cup,” said Leka Maliaki.

She added that, going forward the team will continue to train and keep fit for upcoming international events scheduled for March next year.

The decision was made at PNG Netball’s Annual General Meeting held in Alotau.

PNG Netball president Julienne Leka-Maliaki said Babao-O’Neill’s appointment was a timely and positive step for the empowerment and development of women in sport in the country.

“It presents great opportunities for PNG Netball to leverage under her ambassadorship and therefore we are excited about this support and the journey ahead,” said Leka-Maliaki.

Babao-O’Neill said she was honoured to be the patron of a sport that has a far reaching impact on women and girls.

 Kavieng have sent an U21 team and a senior team to these championships.

The U21 team lost five games but managed a win over Central (2).

But coach Wendy Ugui says she is still pleased with the team’s performance, saying the players have gained a lot from the championships.

“Most of the girls have never been out of their own province. We only won  one game but am still a happy coach.

“We have quite a young team and we can take back what we have learnt and work from there to improve ourselves,” said Ugai.

This news was confirmed this week by PNG Netball Federation president Julienne Leka who said the championships will be run by the Alotau Netball Association.

“The week-long event will be held from September 21^st -26^th with the junior competition to be held from September 21^st – 23^rd. The senior Tournament will run from the 25^th – 26^th.

Leka said that this year’s tournament is expected to be attended by all affiliated associations from the Southern, Momase and the New Guinea Islands regions. 

PNG will play the winner of tonight’s (7pm) quarterfinal match between Fiji and Samoa.

Fiji is the favorites to defend their gold medal in the Pacific Games Netball competition.

They have won Gold four times already: 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Netball was not contested in the 2011 Games.

Before the match started the venue attendants had to find vacant seats to seat ticket holders who were still outside the playing venue.

The match was played in front of a packed arena and PNG did not disappoint the home fans, sprinting to an early lead 20-4 by the end of the first quarter.

PNG goal shooter Taita Baldwin used her height and size effectively as she led the scoring onslaught moving the host nation to 40-10 at half time.

The half time siren was a sound of help for the Solomon Islanders, giving time to regroup for the second part of the match.