BFPNG runs programme in Kikori

THE Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea’s (BFPNG) vision of taking the sport to the provinces led them to the Gulf’s Kikori to share their love for basketball.
BFPNG Hoops for Health coordinator Jordan Sere was in the township for a week to deliver Basketball for Good programmes with the support of Kikori Urban Basketball Association.
Sere, who has been running Basketball for Good programmes in Port Moresby, was amazed by the enthusiasm of people in Kikori.
“I was surprised and thrilled with the way they received us,” he said.
“The reception was incredible from the time we landed to the programmes being run, everyone was just enthusiastic and happy to join us.”
Kikori aside, Baimaru Basketball Association officials, including president Hape Pipi, also travelled over two hours by dingy boat to participate in the programmes.
BFPNG delivered coaching and officiating clinics while also introducing three-on-three basketball to the participants.
“We are extremely impressed with the effort of our brothers and sisters from Baimaru, for them to travel by boat just to be able to participate in our programmes,” BFPNG executive officer Nick Daroa said.
“It makes your heart melt and makes us more determined to work with our programmes. Instances like this inspire us even more and give us a special purpose in our jobs.”
Meanwhile, BFPNG president Karo Lelai praised the leadership of Kikori Urban Basketball Association president Ella Dodobai and partners, Petroleum Resources Kutubu and Mineral Resources Development Company, for their helping develop the sport.
“Congratulations on an awesome job by Dodobai and their partners for their financial aid, their efforts in developing the game in the community have been phenomenal,” she said. – fiba