Gabagaba serious about junior cricket

Clinic in PNG © ICC

One coastal village in Central Province (Paua New Guinea) is going full steam to revive cricket.

And what better way to do that than through the kids aged between 10 and 15. Gabagaba, a 45-minute drive from Port Moresby on the Magi Highway, has started an Under 13 and Under 15 competition.

The main in charge of the revival is Gini Tau who says a dream has been realised with the re-introduction of cricket.

"The kids are on a high because it's the first time in a Central Province village to have a junior competition. We want to develop juniors at this age, " Tau said.

"Cricket was the first game introduced here, the other came later," he said.

"But we stopped and now we want to bring the game back to the village."

Tau has appealed to the national Board for equipment and to be invited to any coaching and umpiring clinics the Board hosts.

The kids play every Saturday, some without proper footwear and equipment, but the fun and enjoyment and the eagerness to learn far outweigh the lack of proper equipment.

There are four teams in both divisions. The finals will be played in June.

And thanks to Lae-based lawyer Karo Gamoga - who is from the village - the competition has a sponsor.

Meanwhile, several PNG international players recently conducted a coaching clinic at Gabagaba which drew an overwhelming response from the kids. The players who conducted the clinic were PNG captain Rarua Dikana, John Ovia, Arua Uda, Hitolo Areni, Toka Gaudi, Ipi Morea, together with development officer Ralavu Rai and junior player Imran Alu.