PNG's Pepe's to participate at Commonwealth Games

Verbal confirmations have been received from the PNG Sports Federation and the PNG Netball Federation that Fiji's appeal to be included at this year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi failed last week when a Court of Arbitration rejected Fiji's case, meaning that the way is now clear for the Pepe's to take their place at the games.

IFNA posted a confirmation dated 1st April on its website titled "CAS Dismisses Fiji Appeal", however, the formal notifications we understand have only reached the PNGNF this week.

A press release is expected to be provided early next week formally inviting PNG to be the eleventh netball team at the games. India takes the final spot as host.

This provides PNG with an excellent oportunity to make its mark and may just turn a few heads as we have beaten several of the middle order teams including the Cook Islands and Samoa.  Preparations have never been so important for the Pepe's and Pole Kassman and Mike Petrides are confident they are steering the squad in the right direction.  The Pacific Netball Series in June should be a decent performance barometer ahead of the Games.

The Pepe's international committments this year are also critical to whether or not we will also be invited to the World Championships set for Singapore next year, so there is quite a lot of responsibility on the national team this year.

Ahead of a formal release by the PNG Netball Federation we should be wishing the Pepe's, their management and coaching staff a hearty congratulations and good luck .


IFNA link;
IFNA website posting - Fiji's Participation in Commonwealth Games