Basketball highlights growing support

THE Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFNG) has hailed associations and officials around the country following this month’s national trials which attracted about 160 players.
BFPNG executive officer Nick Daroa told The National yesterday that the turnout in Highlands, Lae and Port Moresby showed growing support for the sport.
“The response to the trials was encouraging,” he said of the three-week initiative.
Daroa said they had around 35 players participated at the Lae trials, about 45 in the Goroka trials and 80 in the Port Moresby leg of the trials.
“Once the BFPNG board receives and endorses the selection lists, the national men’s and women’s squads will be announced along with the training schedules,” he said.
“The BFPNG board and management would also like to thank everyone who took part in the trials, and their respective leagues and associations for their support.
“We wish everyone in the basketball community a safe and enjoyable festive season and a prosperous 2021.” The squads will be named next year as PNG gears up for the Melanesian Cup in Fiji in April.
The Port Moresby leg saw 50 men and 30 women take part in the three-day trial with teams from Port Moresby, Central and Gulf.
A milestone from the Port Moresby leg saw the inaugural participation of a 10-man select side from the Kikori Basketball Association.