BFPNG launches comp in Tubusereia

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Central three-on-three (3×3) basketball competition was launched yesterday at Tubusereia village in Central with friendly matches.
Kora Mea, a referee with international experience, who organised the competition, said this was an initiative to identify, develop and expose players who could then go on to play for the country.
Although Central Basketball is affiliated under the Basketball Federation of PNG (BFPNG), Mea said the competition was not attached to the federation but merely a community competition to develop young players and referees.

So far, 10 teams each have registered for the men’s and the women’s divisions as well as teams for the under-17 boys and girls divisions.
There are also teams for the senior mixed division and the under-15 mixed division.
Mea said team registration would close tomorrow and once all participating teams were confirmed draws would be made.
“Registration started on Sunday after the launch and close on Wednesday (tomorrow) and the competition will tip off on Thursday,” he said.

“This competition is not only for the community, it’s open to all the surrounding villages in Central.”
Mea said there had been issues with the basketball court in the village so they resorted to the 3×3 competition instead of the regular five-on-five competition.
“We are trying to develop youngsters, Under-12s, U15 and U17 players and teach them what basketball can do for them.
Mea said part of the training focused on good behaviour, conduct on and off the court, as well as personal development and compliance with rules.
Mea said the initiative was the first of its kind in the village and it was his way of giving back to the community on what he learnt at the South Pacific Games in Samoa last year.