While the world stage is Papua New Guinea’s focus for the next few weeks, the long-term aim is to continue to propel the sport beyond Hanuabada and neighboring coastal areas.
Faith has played an important role in the development of cricket in Papua New Guinea and on 17 October when ‘Barramundi’ Twenty20 World Cup Debut against Oman at Al Amarat.
Most of the teams that take the field come from a single village on the southern Papuan coast near the capital, Port Moresby.
Hanuabad, meaning “large village”, has been considered the spiritual home of cricket in the former British protectorate since it was first played there in the early 1900s.
International umpire Lakani Ola said, “The game was introduced to the villagers by missionaries. People fell in love with the game and adopted it because of the Christian influence.” Reuters.
“Cricket will regularly bring neighboring villages together by playing each other, leading to harmony, peace and strong friendship,” said the eighth-generation Hanuabadan, 62.
“All cricket matches open and end with prayer” [and our] National cricket teams still practice it today.”
Moving the sport forward in Papua New Guinea has been a challenge.
The team plays few fixtures, a problem that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, and Papua New Guinea’s location and reputation as a dangerous travel destination means it is difficult to attract touring sides, despite its proximity to Australia and New Zealand.
“Unfortunately where we are, geography is not on our side and we lack international experience and sports,” said Papua New Guinea chairperson Helen McKindo. Reuters.
“We’re hoping ‘Barras’ makes it to the World Cup, there will be a little bit more exposure.”
While the world stage is Papua New Guinea’s focus for the next few weeks, the long-term aim is to continue to propel the sport beyond Hanuabada and neighboring coastal areas.
“A few years back we managed to get some funding through Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket and ICC [International Cricket Council], and we are getting 48 more wickets across the country,” McKindo said.
PNG are placed alongside Oman, Scotland and Bangladesh in the opening round and will have to finish in the top two if they are to secure a spot along with the top-ranked nations in the “Super 12” stage.
The T20 World Cup, which ran from October 17 to November 14, was shifted from original hosts India to Oman and the United Arab Emirates due to COVID-19 concerns.
.