Adam a shining example

Promising junior basketballer empowering his Kikori team

By NAOMI KALATE
ADAM Maikai is one of a few promising junior basketball talents in the country who was scouted from one of the most rural areas in Papua New Guinea and went on to represent the country in regional tournaments.
Maikai caught the attention of national selectors in 2021, then as a 13-year-old boy playing basketball in the muddy courts of Kikori.
Three years later and two regional championships in his resume, Maikai is giving back to the community through his participation in domestic tournaments and competitions.
The 16-year-old recently captained the Kikori Souths men’s team to compete in the 17th National South’s Basketball Tournament in Lae a fortnight ago.
The youngster, a point guard, showed incredible skills during the tournament helping the Kikori team to the finals for the first time.
The men’s team lost to defending champions Usano Sura Souths 48-36 to finish runners up.
“Playing for the team is my greatest pride as this is my parents team,” he said.
“This is the first time for the team to play in such a tournament and it was worth it. We got to play in the final and we were the runners up.
“It was the first time for the team to travel through the route 700 and we gave our best in the tournament. I never thought we would come this far.
“As the team captain, I kept telling the players to be stronger in defence which was our game plan,” Maikai said.
Maikai, who is currently studying at the Waigani Christian College in Port Moresby, doing grade seven, started playing basketball in 2020 when he was 12 years old in Kikori. His mom is passionatgainst about basketball.

In 2021 he represented the district in the Under-15 National Championships in Port Moresby and was selected to represent PNG in the U15 Oceania Championships in Guam in 2022.
He was selected again last year to captain the U17 team in the Oceania Championships in Port Moresby.
“I have built an interest in the code while growing up. Seeing my mother playing and attending various competitions in other provinces inspired me to play and pursue a career in basketball,” he said.
“And as a basketball player I would like to be an inspiration to young athletes and especially my siblings, that whatever dream that you have, work hard to pursue your goals with passion and perseverance.
“The challenge I have met is juggling with studies to achieve my dream as an accountant and trying to balance playing basketball like many others.
“However it’s always been my dream to play and to represent PNG in the senior men’s team.”
Maikai said he joined the Kikori team after his mom registered the association to take part in the National South’s Basketball Tournament.
Maikai, his sister and mum took part in the tournament. His sister and her mom played in the Kikori women’s team.
Maikai travelled with his parents, sibling and the rest of the club from Kikori passing by five highlands provinces to get to Lae.