Volleyball Federation: Rally behind PNG Amoa

The Papua New Volleyball Federation is urging passionate fans and followers of PNG Amoa to back the team earn an award in the prestigious SP Sports Awards.

The PNG Amoa men’s volleyball team along with PNG Lakatois [Football] and the Barramundis [Cricket was announced as the three finalists, vying for the ‘Team of the Year’ award.

PNG Amoa’s recognition in the 2024 edition of the prominent sports award-winning event is a testament of their stanch effort in the Pacific Games last year.

The team led by captain Junior Harold Gima created history by becoming the first playing-group to win a silver medal in PNG’s history. 

“As the president of volleyball, I’m very excited and I hope a lot of people will vote PNG Amoa to earn that prestigious award because we have been in the dark for too long,” PNGVF president Edward Aisi told NBC News.

“Our coaches and management team have done an incredible job by winning at least a silver.

“We went very close to winning gold but missed out slightly.

“Silver in itself is a really big achievement and it will be a blessing if PNG Volleyball Federation earns this award during the awards night.”

PNG defied all odds to remain unbeaten throughout the round games in Solomon Islands.

The team coached by Mathew Walo also had the most followers in the regional sports carnival as PNG propelled to the top, stunning two volleyball powerhouse teams in New Caledonia and Tahiti for the first time.

Team manager Ronald Amoa said it was fitting that SP Sports Awards committee recognized PNG Amoa for their brave commitment in flying the PNG colors on the international arena.  

“I welcomed the great news with excitement and some emotions because we put in a lot of work,” Amoa told NBC News when asked of his thoughts on the team making the SP Sports Awards.

“We knew that going into Pacific Games was a tough task because we always finish fourth or fifth behind French dominated teams.

“We brought a team that was second to none in the country at that time and to put on a massive performance and settle with silver was a great milestone. 

“I thank the SP Awards committee for recognizing us and putting team PNG men’s team [PNG Amoa] as one of the three finalists.

“Now it's up to the people, followers and fans of volleyball to vote for us and get us across the line.”

Fans and followers can vote through SMS by typing 3*amoa# to 1600 (Telikom) or vote via Whatsapp (77146340) using the same format.