Women to have own basketball competition
By THADDEUS TIRIMAN
 MOVES are underway to run a separate competition for women in the Capital Basketball Association (CBA).
This has come about in an attempt to give women a chance to administer their own games and to develop female players at early ages by introducing the Under 16 and the U19 divisions.
The women’s and the men’s competitions would come under the umbrella of Capital Basketball Association. However, the newly-elected executives of the association are yet to decide on the matter.
The introduction of a women’s basketball competition into the game is a significant move because it’s going to serve as a pilot project for women’s basketball in PNG.
The concept is to be established in all other basketball associations in the country as well. Match committee chairman of CBA Larry Miro confirmed this yesterday when announcing the new executives of the association.
Three women representatives raised the matter on Tuesday to the newly-elected office bearers who are seriously considering the matter.
The executives will decide on the matter on the 26th of this month after a formal proposal has been handed in.
The move is in line with an Australian Sports Outreach Programme (ASOP) which sponsored women’s basketball programme earlier this year at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium.
At that time PNG national basketball coach Veitu Diro expressed concern at the small number of women taking part in the administration of the game as well as playing.
She also promised the female participants that a separate competition would be introduced for them this year.
She said by allowing a separate competition for women they will be given the chance to run their own games and to introduce junior divisions that will be crucial for the development of the game.
She had the support of the PNG Basketball Federation, who co-hosted the programme.
Meanwhile, former basketball international Moses Koiri has replaced John Bruce Vere as the new president of CBA and his vice-president Brown Kiki has replaced Emma Waiwai.
Lawrence Lahari is the secretary and Alex Auga and Miro retained their seats as secretary and match committee chairman respectively.
The executives want the 2008 season to start early next month with hopefully the women’s basketball competition separate and well in place.
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