Lohia committed to contribute to Siales and Lewas

Papua New Guinea cricket sensation Dika Lohia is committed to giving her best in the U19 (Siales) and Elite (Lewas) national cricket teams as she continues to build on her sporting career.

The 18-year-old from Pari village in Central Province was the recipient of the 2024 Kaia Arua Medal following Cricket PNG’s Award event recently in Port Moresby.

“Being named as the recipient of this award means a great deal to me, my family, and everyone who has supported my goals in playing at the international level,” Lohia said.

She paid tribute to PNG Lewa’s former captain, Late Kaia Arua, who passed away earlier this year.

“It was a feeling of mixed emotions receiving this award because of its name given. I have had the privilege to play alongside late Kaia during my debut with the Lewas, especially in the 2024 Pacific Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, before her passing.

“She imparted a lot of knowledge and experience, and I hope to continue in this path in my cricketing career.”

Lohia made her debut for the PNG Lewas earlier this year when Lewas defeated the New Zealand Maori cricket team in Auckland to claim the 2024 Pacific Cup

Before her appearance, she was part of the Siales U19-U23 squad for an invitational One-Day International tour, during the Australia U19 National Cricket Championship last December taking multiple on wickets as an all-rounder.

She captained the PNG Siales to compete at the 2024 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific qualifier in Bali, Indonesia back in May following her tour with the PNG Lewas in Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates.

Following her duties as captain with the Siales this year, she had another stint heading off with Lewas to retain the country’s one-day international status in the Netherlands recently.

“My cricket career has only begun, but I hope to inspire a lot of young girls, especially from my village.

“To get involved in the cricket development program has brought me this far, I hope it will for them to stay committed, and it will take them places in the world to play cricket as I did.”

Meanwhile, Lohia was a finalist Kaia Arua Award among fellow Siales teammates Dadina Gaudi and Lakshmi Rajadurai.

Rajadurai is also the recent inclusion to the PNG Lewas squad and made her debut earlier this year.