The Gugu Hire Cars Rabaul Softball Tournament is currently underway at the Queen Elizabeth Park in Rabaul, East New Britain (ENB) province after opening on the Thursday 28th September.
The tournament is timely as it supports the Rabaul Softball Association’s efforts to revive the code. The 21 teams are participation in both the men’s and women’s division, coming in from Rabaul, Kokopo and Gazelle districts. The tournament will end on Sunday.
The tournament garnered support from major sponsor Gugu Hire Cars who gained the naming right, and other sponsors EQF Band and Coastal Shipping. ENB Governor, Michael Marum has also supported the tournament.
The first day of the tournament also attracted some former and big-name softball stars in East New Britain who also came to witness the games.
Rabaul Softball Association President Bernadette Payoe said she was thrilled with the attendance on the first day, saying that it has been a long struggle of trying to get the teams together to get the tournament off the ground.
She acknowledged the kind gesture of the sponsors in supporting the tournament as part of their community obligations.
The Rabaul Softball Association hopes that the conclusion of the tournament will see the start of the season proper at the Queen Elizabeth Park, which is the home of softball in ENB.