Basketballers preparing for national training camp

By JACK AMI
THE Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea is conducting sessions for athletes in Port Moresby, ahead of the national training camp next month.
Federation executive officer Stephen Damien said the sessions were also undertaken by basketballers in Lae, Kerema and Daru.
“This will see selected players — both men and women — from Australia attending the camp,” Damien said.
“The camp will consist of about 25 to 28 player each for the men’s and women’s sides.
“The number will then be cut down to 15.
“There is a lot of depth and experience in the men’s squad, with the inclusion of about six Australian-based players.
“In the women’s squad, we have secured one and are looking at another two.
“We have lead-up (events) for the five-on-five at the Arafura Games in April in Darwin and three-on-three Asia Cup in China in May.
“The Asia Cup is one tier above Oceania and if we are placed in the top 15, it will reflect in our ranking before the Pacific Games.”
The basketballers started training at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre on Saturday.
“We are serious about the Pacific Games and player fitness level is a priority leading up to the event,” Damien said.
He said the Port Moresby-based players were aware that it will not be an easy task to secure the final slots in the squads for the three-on-three and five-on-five formats.
Damien said the board and national selectors were serious about winning medals at the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.