Competitiveness pleases fed

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea says it was pleased with the competitiveness shown over the last two weeks in the National Souths Basketball League tournament and national club championships which ended on Sunday.
Federation president Karo Lelai said observations showed areas that needed to be improved with a focus on coaching education.
“What we did see was the same style of play from the majority of teams,” she told The National yesterday.
“This observation is important because it gives us a clear indication of what we need to focus on in terms of coaching education.
“To improve their performances, we have always been aware that we need to build our coaches, upskill technical officials and conduct governance training for leaders.”
Lelai said, since 2012, the federation had ensured that teams were sent to every regional Fiba event, particularly the junior championships. “Consequently, we saw a higher level of competition with much reduced scorelines as those players who have had that international exposure were evenly distributed amongst the teams,” she said.
“Creating competitive tension is important for high performance and the federation was very pleased with the long-term legacy created by ensuring consistent participation in regional events.”
Lelai said the federation’s vision was to make basketball the most popular sport in the country.
“To achieve this vision requires all the relevant stakeholders to play their part,” she said.
“As the mother body, the federation is here to support our associations all around PNG to deliver their core business of basketball.
“It is not our role to go and run their associations – that is the job of their executives.
“Strategic partnerships are key to the federation and its members in achieving mutual objectives.
“Keeping things simple is also important, given our logistical and resource challenges in PNG.
“Our work plan for this year already incorporates training and development programmes in Madang – delivered two weeks ago – Kikori and Kavieng through our Hoops for health programme.
“The programmes target junior basketball, training officials and coaching development.
“Through Fiba Oceania, we have many excellent on-line training opportunities for referees, bench officials and coaches.
“However, we do not seem to get a good uptake from PNG participants.”