Rita Flynn courts

Vice president Maria Laka said there are 43 teams playing across the seven divisions (1-6 plus the premier division).

Teams include Works, Bank of Papua New Guinea, PNG Forest Authority, PNG Power, Telikom, Auditor General and Finance.

“We started last weekend. We will have five games played in round one and another five in round two,” Laka said.

“The finals for the competition will be held in March of next year.”

The NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Commander Ben Turi described the occurrence as being forced upon by desperate candidates.

Turi also confirmed allegations that a number of supporters of candidates present at the courts yesterday were allegedly assaulted by police personnel.

However Turi said that supporters and scrutineers of candidates had packed the Rita Flynn courts and caused a nuisance in the area

He added that the courts and its surrounding areas are an eye sore with the supporters causing disturbances to the general public compromising security. 

The NCD Election manager, Alvin Jimmy explains that the police advised him that the Park was not a viable option.

Jimmy told Loop PNG that the Park was not secure for the pre-counting and so they contacted management of the Rita Flyn courts who agreed to have the process held there.

One of the activities to take place will be the replacing of used ballot papers from the deferred polling held on Tuesday.

The Rita Flynn Courts will be the central coordinating office for the NCD Election until after the Elections.

This is an open event and more than 200 members of the general public have filled up most of the seats at the indoor complex.

Police, Correctional Services and the PNGDF personnel, as well as election polling officials, will be present at the event.

Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, is expected to give the keynote address as well NCD metropolitan superintendent, Ben Turi.

More updates to follow on Loop PNG.

The 30 players vying for a spot in the team were selected from the National Gaming Control Board junior national netball championships that ended yesterday.

Head of selectors, Pole Kassman said day one of selections will be on skills fitness, agility movement, skills and development plus a match assessment game.

She said the selections are being facilitated by coach of the PNG Pepes, Unaisi Rokoura with the assistance of several current Pepes players.

There are 70 teams from 13 different netball associations taking part in the championships that will run up until Wednesday. There are four divisions – U13, U15, U17 and U21.

In the U13 A division, Lae (1) forfeited Jiwaka, Alotau def. Motu Koita South (1) 26-9 and Kairuku-Hiri (2) def. Central (2) 23-8.

For the U13 B results, Central (1) def. Kairuku-Hiri (2),  Port Moresby (2) def. Kimbe 11-7 and Motu Koita West (2) drew with Motu Koita South (2) 14-14.

Last week’s results were pleasing as many Papua New Guinean men showed great enthusiasm in the competition. It is a popular team sport for women, but after round 7 of the games, men are catching on the show.

''You will be surprise with how much momentum the men's game has picked up after the recent round games.''

Tonight the Rita Flynn courts in Port Moresby will heat up again as teams advance into playing their round 8 games when the men will show it all when they hit the courts.