Cricket PNG Garamuts Team to Compete in ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup East Asia Pacific Division 1 Qualifier in Japan
Images: Garamuts flanked with (left) Coach Kila Pala, CPNG Deputy Chairman Rarua Dikana and further right CPNG CEO Richard Done
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Thursday 17th April 2025– Cricket PNG is excited to announce the Garamuts, Papua New Guinea’s Under-19 Men’s Team to compete in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup (50-Over) East Asia Pacific Division 1 Qualifier in Japan later this month. It follows on from Garamuts win in the EAP Division 2 Qualifier in Samoa in 2024, where they dominated the event. The winner of the tournament qualifies for the prestigious ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup.
The qualifier matches will take place in Sano, Japan from 24 to 29 April, against Japan and Fiji, who qualified by finishing 2nd and 3rd in the previous Division 1 Qualifier in Darwin in 2023. No doubt the event will bring out the best in all teams, but the Garamuts are ready to make a mark on the international stage.
The upcoming East Asia Pacific (EAP) Division 1 Qualifier in Japan is a pivotal tournament, and the Garamuts have prepared well, including the recent 10-day tour to Queensland, with the support of the Australian government’s PacificAus Sports program and the Queensland Cricket MOU signed with Cricket PNG earlier this year.
In the lead-up to this crucial event, the Garamuts have been under the guidance of their coaching team, including new High Performance Manager, Tim Nielsen. Nielsen brings a wealth of experience to the team, with a proven track record in elite-level cricket coaching, being the Australian Team Coach from 2007 to 2011, and South Australia CA High Performance Manager for over 8 years. His leadership is set to provide the team with the expertise needed for the demanding qualifying competition ahead.
He joins the Garamuts’ Coach, Kila Pala, whose extensive knowledge of this group of young players will be key in shaping the team’s performance. In addition, the Garamuts are supported by Richard Leka as the Team Manager.
“We are proud of the Garamuts team selected for this important competition,” said Michael Harrison, Chair of Cricket PNG. “With the leadership of Kila Pala and the addition of Tim Nielsen to the coaching team, we are confident the Garamuts will be well-prepared to represent PNG on the world stage. We’re also pleased to have the support of Harry Bourne from Lindsay Trigar Physiotherapy in Brisbane, ensuring the players stay fit and healthy throughout the tournament.”
The Garamuts have been training intensively ahead of their journey to Japan, and Cricket PNG is thrilled to announce the selected team for the tournament:
Player Role
Gaba FRANK (captain) LHB / RALS
Dauncey TOM (vice-captain) LHB
Aluend Robson BOGE LHB / RAOS
Anthony Tamarua DAVID RHB - RAM
Rarua DIKANA JNR LHB - RAM
Dai MAHURU LHB
Igo MOREA LHB / LAFM
Vagi Vani MOREA RHB / RAOS
Frank Collin NAIME RHB
Lekwa NAO LHB / WK
Oala PUKA RHB / LAOS
David TARAKA RHB - RAM
Puka RAHO RHB / LAFM
Ware ROBBIN RHB / RAFM
Staff Role
Richard Leka Team Manager
Kila Pala Garamuts Coach
Tim Nielsen HPM/Barramundis Coach
Harry Bourne Physiotherapist
Hudson Leka, Cricket PNG’s Youth Selector, commented on the selected team, “The Garamuts have shown great commitment and improvement throughout their preparation. This team is a blend of talented youth who have worked hard to earn their places. We are confident that they will perform well at the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup East Asia Pacific Division 1 Qualifier and continue to represent PNG with pride and determination. We look forward to their journey and the exposure this tournament will provide in their cricket development.”
As part of the final preparation for Japan, Cricket PNG engaged Winnie Herry-Ugava MBE from the Protocol Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Winnie provided the Garamuts’ players and support staff with a comprehensive cultural overview of travel to Japan, including practical tips and advice based on her three years of living in the country.
Following the protocol session, the team also received insights from Assadollah Vala, the long- standing captain of the PNG Barramundis. He spoke about the passion of playing for PNG and emphasized the importance of representing Cricket PNG and the nation on the global stage, particularly during the 50th Anniversary Celebration year of PNG’s independence.
The team departs on Sunday 21 April at 9.20am from Jackson’s International Airport.
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact info@cricketpng.org
About Cricket PNG
Cricket PNG (CPNG) is the National Sports Federation responsible for the governance, promotion and development of cricket in Papua New Guinea (PNG). CPNG has been an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1973 and is supported by the ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP) regional office, and more recently the PNG Olympic Committee.
CPNG currently has about 70 staff in ten (10) regions across PNG with a majority involved in driving entry-level participation through the Schools Kriket Programme and the School Kriket Programme (Malolo Hard-Ball Competition). In 2024, the School Kriket Programme reached over 129,000 students across PNG. Domestically, the Isuzu T20 Smash is our pinnacle event, supported by men’s and women’s Nationals at U19 and Senior levels. At the high-performance level internationally, our Barramundis (national men) are ranked 20th in T20 and had ODI status until early 2023, our Lewas (national women) are ranked 12th in T20 and currently have ODI status, our Garamuts (U19 boys) and Siales (U19 girls) have historically been the best performed of the ICC EAP U19 member teams.
