THE Chairperson of Netball PNG, Ms Ulato Avei, has expressed her gratitude to Trukai Industries Limited for donating sporting equipment to support the Butterfly Netball League in Port Moresby.
Ms Avei made the remarks during the presentation of the netball and training equipment, describing the support as timely and valuable for the competition.
She said the donation would significantly boost the six-week Butterfly Netball League, which features four teams made up of locally selected athletes.
“Trukai was kind enough to donate a range of sporting equipment. As you can see, we now have balls, whistles, bibs, stopwatches, water bottles, water containers, hurdles and other training gear,” she said.
While acknowledging the contribution, Executive officer Lynette Maha highlighted that the main objective of the competition is to develop and nurture local talent.
“It’s a short six-week competition with four teams, made up of athletes selected from the 2024 National Championships,” she said.
The Butterfly Netball League is an initiative of Netball PNG, aimed at bridging the gap between outdoor netball and a more professional standard of the game.
She explained that the transition is necessary, as international competitions are played in indoor arenas—facilities that Netball PNG currently does not have.
She also extended her appreciation to the PNG Sports Foundation and Venue Management for allowing Netball PNG to use the facilities for the duration of the competition.
The league also serves as a platform for selectors to identify talent for the national team.
She said selections from the league would be combined with those of overseas-based Pepe squad players.
“This group will be prepared for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers to be held in Tonga later this year in September.”