Basketballers heading for Aussie tournament

 By PHILEMON TAME, journalism student

THE Papua New Guinea Souths Basketball League has selected a men’s team to play in the Mackay basketball carnival in Australia later this month.

The tournament will run from January 22-28. The players are youths from South­ern Highlands identified during a tournament last year. League president Timothy Mako said the players were selected from their  tournament held in Mt Hagen  over August 28-September 1 last year.

He said he was keen to give the players the opportunity to test their skills against opposition from another country. 

Mako said this was the first trip for the Southern Highlands youth and the exposure would be quite beneficial not only related to the game but broadening their knowledge of a different culture. 

“The women’s team was dropped due to costs and time factor,” he said. The team is seeking sponsorship and has appealed to Southern Highlands leaders and business houses to support.

“I thank the patron for the team and the governor of Southern Highlands for the support,” he said. 

“This is not a first time he committed his own (money) to support us.”

He said the national body would help them.

The team: Gibson Koyaieye, Rex Pakaril, Danny Ken, Simon Tegi, Michael Tegi, Mike Tamp, Alo Don, Jason Yari and Moses Pale.