Men's softball axed from Pacific Games due to lack of entries

Port Moresby 2015 have announced they have axed men's softball from this year's Pacific Games ©Port Moresby 2015

Port Moresby 2015 have announced they have axed the men’s softball event at this year’s Pacific Games due to a lack of entries, with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) admitting the sport’s cancellation was “disappointing”.

Only hosts Papua New Guinea put forward a team for the men’s competition and Port Moresby 2015 have confirmed that only the women’s tournament will go ahead as planned.

The news represents a blow to the event, widely expected to be the biggest in Papua New Guinea’s history, and follows concerns over readiness of venues for the Games, due to take place from July 4 to 18.

“It is unfortunate this has happened but it is a decision the teams make and not ours,” Port Moresby chief executive Peter Stewart said.

“Already the Organising Committee is providing more support to the visiting teams than has ever been offered before in a Pacific Games.

“It is clear that men’s softball can’t be supported outside of Papua New Guinea for these set of Games.

“We understand the disappointment to the players and their fans.

“The silver lining in this is that the legacy for softball, in terms of the facility at Bisini, the sports equipment, and training of local Papua New Guinea technical officials is all in place now and that will support the growth of softball here in Papua New Guinea and the region in the future.”

The cancellation of the men's softball event at the Pacific Games has been described as disappointing by the WBSC ©Getty Images

Although men’s softball has not been put forward for Olympic inclusion, the development may still cause concerns for the sport’s governing body.

A WBSC spokesperson told insidethegames that they were “somewhat disappointed” by the decision but that their Olympic focus was on men’s baseball and women’s softball, which are the two disciplines they are trying to get included at the Olympic Games.

The WBSC also claimed the reasons behind the cancellation of men’s softball was probably largely down to financial constraints in the Oceania region but that they hope to “develop the sport in the area in the future”.

Port Moresby 2015 have confirmed that they will look to revise the competition schedule so as to reduce the impact of the sport's removal from the programme.

Tickets purchased for the sport will still be valid as they allow access to cricket, football, and lawn bowls at the Bisini venue.