However, it is understood from other sources that an appeal has been lodged by the Fijian authorities and the outcome of this hearing will definitvely determine PNG's status, especially for netball.
PNG, ranked 12th in the World as at October 2009, was shy one placing for an automatic invitation to the Games in New Delhi. India received automatic entry as host nation putting PNG just outside of the comfort zone. From what we are hearing, the PNG Sports Federation PNG has not received a formal notification as yet from the Commonwealth Secretariat nor from IFNA which is required to ratify the status of Fiji's exclusion for this particular situation and for the same purpose, to enable PNG inclusion at the Games.
Mrs Emily Taule
President - PNGNF
Mr's Taule said for all intent and purpose, the Netball Federation and the management of the national team were preparing as if the team was travelling and all efforts to realise this eventuality were being pursued. A comment from the Sports Federation was not possible today. With the New Delhi committment less than six months away, lets hope this situation gets sorted real quick.
In the meantime, the Pepe's have commenced their conditioning which is a full week program of calesthenics, core and stamina work, weights and swimming and of course the all essential court and team skills. This regime will continue until the team leaves for India. A training squad has been called to camp including several new names like Daphne Hungrabos whom NTH mentioned in October after the National Championships in Manus.
Coach, Pole Kassman and Assistant, Mike Petrides have called all current Pepe's and the U21 squads for full training and the pace is expected to pick up as the weeks wear on to shed all that unwanted Christmas good living. Training commenced last week and so for any of the Pepe's reading and wanting to know more, they are encouraged to urgently get in touch with either Mrs Kassman or Mr Petrides as soon as possible.
There is a sad note to all this hubbub and that is the news filtering in of the withdrawl from representative duties by both the Raula sisters who have been consistent members of the national squad for quite a number of years and their departure will be sorely missed.
Above - The Raula sisters in action for
Paramana at last years POMNA grand final
Between them, these two Paramana stalwarts have an incredible dossier of represetative honors for the Pepe's and are deserving of thanks from a grateful netball community for there dedication and committment to the sport for so long.
Their farewell opens the door to representative prospects for up and comming players so it is going to be interesting how the selectors manage the vacancies in the squad.
On a positive note Mike Petrides tells NTH that Australian based Pepe, Maleta Roberts is on the mend and the comeback trail is looking brighter and brighter all the time. Her input to the PNG attack will certainly be appreciated
That's all for now, NTH will be bringing some older news over the next few days, for those that have been requesting news about the PNG Games and other news, so expect that over the next several days.
Near the Hoop
PNG's only Netball Newspaper
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