PNG confirm 7 teams for Touch World Cup

By JAMIE HARO
SEVEN teams will represent Papua New Guinea at the 2024 Touch World Cup in Nottingham, England with less than two weeks of preparations remaining before departure.
Team PNG general manager Andrew Oli said training was becoming intense as PNG, a favourite within the Pacific region, prepare for the showdown on July 16-21.
“PNG is taking seven teams consisting of the open divisions which are men’s, women’s and mixed and we also have the senior teams including men’s 35s, 40s, 45s as well as the senior women’s 40s,” Oli said.
“Our team has been in training together for the last four months since March. We have another week to go before we ease out and prepare for travel. We have a few veterans and a lot of debutants who will feature in this tour.”
Oli said 112 players for all seven divisions would be accompanied by 42 team officials.
“Majority of our open division players are based in Port Moresby,” Oli said.
“We have a good distribution of (senior) player across the country with the inclusion of players starting to travel into the capital from New Guinea Islands, Highlands, Momase and other parts of Southern region.
“Our Australian-based players will arrive in Port Moresby by next week for final preparations before the teams depart.”
PNG’s highest achievement at the touch footy World Cup was in 2015 when the country returned after missing three world cups and won bronze medal in the open men’s, open mix and senior men’s 30s.
Meanwhile, elite representative Vavine Yore said the last few weeks would be used to mentally prepare the team as they wind down on their field and high performance sessions.
“I think in terms of elite athlete performance, we’re at that peak stage and will move into tapering soon.
“Our focus on the last three weeks was more to do with mental preparation, our strategic plays and policies and try to keep our minds fresh before we move into this tournament,” Yorie said of their preparations.