High-flying PNG Amoa men’s set to compete in Asian Championship and Oceania Cup
PNG Men’s national volleyball team ‘Amoa’ is beaming with confidence as they set their spikes for this year’s international competitions after a best-ever finish in the 2023 Pacific Games.
The Amoa's are pursuing to continue their daunting performance as they prepare to attend two important events in the region.
PNG Volleyball Federation president Edward Aisi told NBC News that the national team is hurdles-high to compete in the Asian Volleyball Championships and the Oceania Cup.
“We’re training for the Asian Volleyball Confederation championships in July which is in Brisbane and then we’ve got the Oceania Challenge cup in August or October.
“We have a really busy calendar and I believe our players are ready for that.”
The regional men’s championship is an international volleyball competition staged in Asia and Oceania where Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) affiliated members compete.
PNG who is an affiliate can participate in this event proposed in Brisbane with the senior men’s team bulking up to match up against some of the top teams in Asia and Oceania regions.
Piled with confidence from the silver medal feat in the Solomon Islands hosted Pacific Games, the PNG Amoa men’s side is determined to stake a claim in the 2024 edition of the Asian championship.
“If we can achieve silver in the Pacific Games and dominate and push out the Polynesians, I think we can beat anybody,” Aisi said.
He admitted that the federation lacked funding to support their ambitions and has appealed to relevant authorities and the government to back the senior men’s national team.
“I can’t deny that, we lack funding [and] appeal to good sponsors if someone wants to support volleyball, I can honestly say that we have a good management team so all the funds will be acquitted for if you can jump on board and help us take this young people through to live their dream.”
Slight changes are expected in the formation of the team with new inclusions and a new coach set to guide the team for the two outings.
