Blacks prepare for FNQ challenge

 By KEVIN TEME

DAYS are counting down before the Papuan Blacks jet off for the Far North Queensland Super League All Stars Basketball weekend which will be held on Jan 28-30.

The Papuan Blacks have been training hard just before the Christmas and have also been carrying out fundraising activities for their trip.

It was an incentive brought about after the PNG men’s basketball team was omitted from participating at the South Pacific Games in Fiji in 2003.

They looked for other avenues and their participation at the FNQ All Stars game had proven worthwhile with of the players lifting their skills level and confidence on the international arena.

Papuan Blacks coach Nick Boyet Daroya is confident of his chargers despite going into the tournament as underdogs.

He is also confident that his players made up of upcoming young talents will build and develop from the meet.

Daroya knows his trade after coaching former five-time PNG national club champions, Tamarraws and the national side to successful victories.

His experience will be a telling factor for the Blacks to cause some surprises at the tournament.

An official invitation sent by Cairns Basketball Inc to Daroya who has been the prime factor for the arrangements, said that PNG-Port Moresby will be sending two teams – the Papuan Blacks and Exodus led by head coach Moses Koiri will be competing in the tournament.