Photo Credit: Cricket PNG
New General Manager for Cricket PNG, Tony Naidu, along with Game Development Manager, Margaret Sibona, visited Lae Cricket Association and had a very productive meeting. Lae Cricket Association has a proud history, with former and current Barramundis and Lewas originating from PNG’s second largest city.
Naidu was moved by the passion shown “It was an absolute honour and privilege to learn about the proud history of cricket in this region from former Barra and life member of Lae Cricket Kila Vuivagi. The stories from the historic 1982 achievement in England, where our boys beat Bangladesh amongst others to finish third in the ICC tournament, were great to hear. The pride that everyone has in the Kumul Petroleum PNG Barramundis playing in the World Cup this year shows the depth of the love for this game and this country that exists here.”
Ken Ila, President of Lae Cricket, gave an update on how Lae Cricket, despite covid restrictions, was still able to grow another team in their competition and has plans to launch a new women’s initiative. “With two of my daughters having played for the Lewas, women and girls playing cricket is an absolute passion of mine. We have ideas, and we are very thankful that Cricket PNG is willing to help us develop these initiatives which we hope to run in the build up to the T20 World Cup.” Ila further noted “with the support of Cricket PNG we completed our 50 over competition and are about to complete our T20 competition, without this help, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this.”
Keeping cricket going in these tough times due to Covid hasn’t been easy, and it was noted by all how important the ongoing sponsorship of NKW Group through their subsidiary Pacific Cargo Services has been for Cricket PNG and Lae Cricket. Naidu noted “Cricket is a game for everyone, it offers so much to help people, and it isn’t possible without the support of sponsors. NKW has stayed with us through these tough times, and we are thankful that their support has helped us continue to be able to grow cricket.”
Sibona talked with excitement of working together with Lae Cricket in junior game development “We must work together and share learnings together to deliver cricket in this region. We are very happy to be forming closer ties with Lae Cricket today that will ensure more children can play cricket. Our BSP Kricket programme will only be stronger as we move forward together”
