PNG Junior Tennis squad named for 2025 championship

L-R: Eric Michon, Pauline Hyun and Colita Hakena representing PNG during the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships in Fiji in March this year (Image: Supplied)

Papua New Guinea Tennis Association has named 14 juniors ahead of the 2025 West Pacific Regional Championship set for Lautoka, Fiji in January.

The Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited [KPHL] sponsored junior team is comprised of both Port Moresby and Lae-based juniors who have been outstanding in their local and regional tournaments throughout this year.

A new era for emerging tennis stars, next year’s U12 girls will see Port Moresby Racquets Club’s Alani Smith, Imelda Ragu and Lae Tennis Club’s Macklyn Meninga make their debut in Fiji.

This year’s WPRC U12 Boys silver medalists River-Jordan Hakena, Timothy Koliwan and Andrew Aisi have cemented their spots.

2024 Kwalam Apisah Shield recipient Adelaide Mesa will be taking over in the U14 Girls lineup alongside Jemimah Bakani while Erik Michon and Arthurnasius Wash will represent in the U14 Boys side.

This year’s U14 Girls WRPC and Pacific Oceania Juniors Champ Colita Hakena will make her transition into the U16 girls division with determination to continue her achievements from during her transitions in the U12 and U14 divisions.

Hakena was named alongside Lae based Irene Jose expected to make her debut in this regional tournament.

The U16 boys will feature Thomas Hyun and Ivan Mera who have also climbed ranks and transitioned through the age divisions since their debut in the junior national team.

Meanwhile Lae Tennis Club has extended its gratitude towards the selected juniors including their two juniors Meninga and Jose on making the team ahead of the tour.

“Congratulations to all 14 juniors selected to represent PNG in 2025 West Pacific Regional Championships in Fiji.

“It’s a very proud moment for Lae Tennis Club as we get to see another two of our juniors being selected to represent PNG for their first time.”

“Since 2023, we have been able to produce 5 juniors from our young tennis club in Lae, that have competed in Port Moresby and have qualified to represent PNG. We thank all our sponsors and friends who have contributed to our fundraising initiatives and tournaments and have made it possible for us to send juniors to compete in Port Moresby.”

LTC also extended its gratitude to its committee for their efforts in raising the standard of tennis in Lae, KPHL, and PNGTA through President Barbara Stubbings for the continued support to provide these opportunities for juniors to develop their skills and to compete among the best in the country and the region.