BFPNG seeking clearance

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea is seeking approval from the National Pandemic Controller to hosts events after releasing its 2022 calendar.
Federation president Karo Lelai stressed that the calendar was subject to change as new Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures and directives were issued by the centre.
“We have a packed calendar for 2022 and the executive officer Alu Vegora is now preparing a letter seeking approval from the National Pandemic Controller for our events,” she said.
“Current measures require that all events must be held in a closed venue.
“So we will host all of our national championships at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex where we can control numbers and apply Niupela Pasin measures.
“All of our other events, including the Hoops for Health activities must be capped at a maximum of 20 participants.
Lelai said the only exception was when the federation received approval from the pandemic controller, which was given on a case by case basis.
She added that all member associations were also required by law to get approval to run their competitions and events either from the Controller or from their provincial health authority.
Lelai said associations that required assistance to get approval for their competitions could contact the federation’s executive officer Alu Vegora or Hoops for Health coordinator Jordan Sere for assistance.
“The federation has already adopted a Covid-19 policy which Vegora can share with you to use as a template to prepare your own protocols,” Lelai said.
Key dates on the federation’s calendar includes the National Club Championships (March 18-20), Fiba Oceania U17 Championship (April), Fiba Melanesia Basketball Cup in Fiji (July 25-29), National Championships (Sept 16-17) and Fiba U15 Oceania Championships in Guam (November).