Bri Olewale and Alu Kapa carried PNG’s name this time, not as athletes but as officials.
From a leap from the Amini Cricket Grounds to Samoa to officiate the 2017 East Asia Pacific Under 19 World Cup Qualifiers earlier this month,
Cricket PNG is currently working towards developing umpires to international standards with support from loan company, Moni Plus.
Bri Olewale and Alu Kapa were selected to join New Zealander Shaun Haig, Mevyn McGoon of Fiji, and Hitesh Sharma from Philippines.
Being first-timers to officiate at an ICC-sanctioned match, they were fortunate to have the mentorship and guidance of legendary ICC International Umpire, Billy Bowden.
A New Zealander himself, Bowden previously officiated in 84 Test Matches, 200 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 24 T20 Internationals.
Welcoming the opportunity with open arms, Olewale later reflected, they were privileged to learn from the best, hands on.
Meanwhile, Olewale, Kapa and Lakani Oala are on the 2017 International Cricket Council (ICC) Development Panel of Umpires.
Now that CPNG is starting to host ICC matches on home soil, maintaining a supply of qualified officials is the way forward for the sport in the country.
