PNG reveals strong team for Commonwealth Games
A total of 34 Papua New Guinea athletes have been confirmed for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games which start on July 25.
PNG chef de mission Michael Henao said 20 of the athletes competed in the Pacific Mini Games in the Northern Marianas two weeks ago.
PNG weightlifter Dika Toua. Photo: EMTV
Team PNG will be competing in athletics, boxing, squash, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting.
It includes the likes of weightlifters Dika Toua and Morea Baru, and table tennis players Geoffrey Loi and Tammy Agari.
Sprinter Toea Wisil heads the athletics team.
Tonga favourites for netball tournament says regional chief
Tonga has been tipped as favourites to win the upcoming Oceania Netball Series and qualify for the 2023 World Cup in South Africa.
Oceania Netball President Wainikiti Bogidrau made the prediction while citing the recent development in Pacific netball.
She said the Tongan Tala caused upsets in the PacificAus Sports Series in March when they defeated Samoa and Fiji and they're expected to come out strong in the Oceania series.
Bogidrau says it is a qualifying event and nothing is to be taken away from the Fiji Pearls, Papua New Guinea Pepes, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
The first match is scheduled for July 19 when Fiji faces PNG followed by Samoa against Tonga at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
Fiji women thrash Tonga
The Fiji Football women's team warmed up for the OFC Women's Nations Cup with a 5-0 win over Tonga in its first friendly match, in Suva.
Coach Lisa Cole was particularly excited for the match as it would give her a clear idea of where the team stands against overseas opponents.
Five different players got on the scoresheet for Fiji.
Fiji is expected to meet the Cook Islands in its second friendly match.
Gabong to lead PNG in Oceania Nations Cup
Yvonne Gabong has been named captain of Papua New Guinea's 25-player squad for the upcoming OFC Women's Nations Cup.
PNG go into the competition as the highest-ranked nation involved and are the clear favourites.
The winning team in Fiji will earn the chance to play in the upcoming Women's World Cup 2023 Play-Off Tournament to be hosted in New Zealand in February next year.
Head coach Nicola Demaine says picking a large squad for the tournament will boost their bid for qualification.
PNG get their OFC Womens Nations Cup campaign underway against Vanuatu on July 14, before taking on Tahiti on July 17.
Meanwhile, Cook Islands head coach Gary Phillips has selected his 20-player squad for the Nations Cup.
Domestic players make up the bulk of those selected, but Phillips has also called up players based in New Zealand.
Prospective players trialled for a place in the team at the Cook Islands Football Association training grounds in early June.
The Cook Islands have been drawn in Group A, alongside Tonga and Samoa, who they play on July 16 and July 19 respectively.
"We are happy we had the opportunity to assess the NZ-based players," said Phillips.
"But of course, one week is never enough. We are making progress but it is difficult with 10 players based in New Zealand. It has been a challenge monitoring the players' individual development, but we are pleased with the attitude and commitment."
The Oceania Womens Nations Cup is being held in Fiji from July 13-30.