By Godwin Eki – EMTV Sports, Port Moresby
PNG Netball is currently into its second round of trial matches and selection process for their national U21 women’s netball squad, in order to select a final 12.
PNG Netball President, Julienne Leka-Maliaki, said training and preparations for the girls will be a strenuous process, but the main focus is to select the best players that will represent the country at the World Cup Regional Qualifiers in Auckland, New Zealand.
From the next 15 selected, the squad will cut down by three to select the best players to attend the tournament this September.
Leka-Maliaki says from many talented players identified throughout the year in their trial matches and competitions around the country, the final 12 selected will become their number one priority. They will carry out training camps to work on their skills and technique, and plan out strategies that will make them stand out at the qualifiers.
Countries taking part in the World Cup Regional Qualifiers will be Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
The top three countries from the qualifiers in New Zealand will proceed into attending the World Cup in Botswana, Africa.
