BFPNG sets up basketball court for St Francis Anglican School

THE Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) went above and beyond its mission to spread the movement of basketball in the country.
BFPNG visited St Francis Anglican School at Koki, Port Moresby, to run its Pikinini Hoops programme for the students as an entry point for children to start playing basketball.
BFPNG officials arrived at the school and to their surprise, there was not a court that they could use for the programme.
“We arrived at St Francis with our coaches,” BFPNG chief executive Nick Daroa said.
“But then quickly realised that there was not a court that we could use.”
The predicament did not stop BFPNG and they went to work to make a makeshift basketball court in the parking area of the school with the permission of the school.
“We brought our portable backboards and looked for a place to set up and we found the car park to be a suitable place,” Daroa said.
“The team proceeded to paint a half-court to resemble a three-on-three venue and we were able to make things work.
“It was a great experience for us because the kids were waiting excitedly while we were building the court, you could tell the atmosphere was building and when the programme started, everybody was all in.”
More than 150 children took part in the Pikinini Hoops programme with support from two of St Francis’ physical education teachers.
“We conducted two back-to-back programmes because of the requests of the students.
“It is always heartwarming for us and inspires the whole team to keep on pushing for our goal of developing the game.”
According to Daroa, after the successful launch of the programme, St Francis is now sourcing a permanent backboard to install for the makeshift court to help give its students a chance to play basketball and improve their skills.
“We are in contact with the headmistress and helping her source a permanent backboard because she was pleasantly surprised with the turnout and wanted to help provide an activity to keep their students healthy and learn the value of sports,” he said.
Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, BFPNG was able to turn things around and successfully create a remarkable event for the students and the school because of their drive and commitment to developing the game. – Fiba