All Stars championship will see basketball selection

 By JACK AMI

THE National Premier All Stars Basketball championship in Lae will determine who will be called for international duties leading to the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

One event that bears great impact on preparations and development is the FIBA Oceania tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, in November.

Basketball Federation president Nick Daroa confirmed this in an email.

Daroa said the Lae tournament would gauge the quality of men’s and women’s players, technical officials, coaches, team managers and manageress for international duties leading to the 2015 Pacific Games.

“We will be advertising for the positions to be filled so we can get the ball rolling,” he said.

He said they had expressions of interest from at least four centres but confirmation would be made next week.

Daroa said affiliates from last season were Buka, Capital Basketball League (CBL), PNG Men’s Basketball League (PMBL), Alotau, Lae and Ramu, while Madang, Kavieng and Kokopo had expressed their interest.

Basketball, under the leadership of Daroa and his new executives, is keen to promote and develop a positive attitude in the code and to raise the competitiveness of the country.