City basketball mourns Karulaka

 By JACK AMI
THE Papua New Guinea Men’s Basketball League and Chariots club in the National Capital District are mourning the death of PNG-prospect David Karulaka last Sunday at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The 19-year-old from Lese Aviara (Gulf) and Bukawa (Morobe) died from dengue fever and shock after being admitted on Thursday.
This was confirmed in a medical report by medical officer Sinau Vari.
The death of the basketball star-in-the-making was a shock to the Karulaka and Kala families and relatives as well as the basketball fraternity.
According to basketball administrators, Karulaka was tipped to make the squad for the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga as a centre.
The youngster started his sporting career playing rugby union for the Motuan Warriors at the age of 15 and at the same time played basketball for Exodus in the Capital Basketball League in 2010.
From 2011-2012, he switched to Tamaraws and represented Team Gulf at the PNG Games in Kokopo.
From 2013-2015, he again switched allegiances, this time joining Chariots and making it into Team NCD for the 2014 PNG Games in Lae.
Karulaka was outstanding in the finals against Southern Highlands, assisting in rebounding and scoring his share of points to support team mates Gary Suve Holmes, Dondon Elavo and Elwyn Sailas to bag the gold medal for Team NCD.
Tamaraws coach Boyet Daroya selected Karulaka for the NCD-based Papuan Blacks junior team to tour the Philippines early this year Upon returning from the Philippines, Karulaka joined other players to play in the National Souths Basketball League tournament in Port Moresby.
In respect of the youngster’s death, the PMBL round six matches were deferred to next week.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed.